But to describe Tzaneen’s electricity provision as poor, is a sweeping statement, Neville Ndlala GTM’s spokesperson told Herald.

“The urban underground network in town is stable,” said Ndlala.

He said that GTM distributes power to an area of approximately 3200 km².

“The distribution area is not the same as the municipal jurisdiction area.

Our distribution encroaches into neighbouring municipalities of Ba-Phalaborwa, Greater Giyani, Greater Letaba and Lepelle Nkumpi at Iron Crown (Haenertsburg).

” The larger part of the distribution network supplies farming areas through overhead power lines.

“The rural network is experiencing challenges of aging infrastructure and vegetation.

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“These issues are being addressed through a Development Bank of SA (DBSA) loan and our own funding to eliminate vegetation control backlogs.

“The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) has all the projects for rebuilding of overhead power lines and replacement of transformers in the Tzaneen Main Substation also on loan from the DBSA,” Ndlala said.

According to him GTM’s current maintenance budget amounts to R11,6m.

Although they have a maintenance plan in place, the funding is not sufficient.

“The municipality recently appointed eight service providers for the elimination of vegetation control backlog.

“It should also be noted that we are still operating under the National Disaster Act and this has been ongoing for a year.”

He denied allegations that staff in the electricity department is not issued with the necessary equipment to perform their work.

“Each electrician has a suitable vehicle for their job and there are also three crane trucks,” Ndlala said.

“All electricians and control room operators receive monthly cell phone allowances in terms of the municipality’s policy.”

He also denied that staff in the electrical department are demotivated and overworked due to recurring breakdowns and excessive overtime.

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“Employees have been working from home due to the pandemic since lockdown.

“They were called to work on rotational basis and have only started to return back to work on Monday 1 March.”

He said reporting electrical faults and outages is done through a Whattsapp group.

Various Whatsapp groups in the region have representatives that report to the GTM Whatsapp group.

“It should however, be noted that Whatsapp is not the official communication protocol.

The Whatsapp group was created after a request by consumers through the electricity forum.”

GTM distributes to Haenertsburg, Georges Valley, Magoebaskloof, Politsi, Campsies Glen, Agatha, Tzaneen, Letsitele Valley, Yamorna/Ledzee, Broederstroomdrift, Deerpark, Riverside, Letsitele, Gravelotte, Waterbok and Letaba Ranch. All villages in the municipal area are supplied by Eskom. Modjadjiskloof and Mooketsi is also supplied by Eskom.