MBOMBELA – Steiltes’ electricity supply problems are finally receiving long-overdue attention. Aside from Eskom’s load-shedding, the area’s supply is unreliable at best in the rainy season. According to DA ward councillor, Mr Werner le Grange, this is partly due to overgrown foliage and weather interrupting the supply.
He was speaking during a public meeting with the residents of wards 16 and 17 on Wednesday evening in which he and his colleague Mr Hannes de Kock discussed Mbombela Local Municipality’s (MLM) plans ahead of the start of the new financial year on July 1.
Le Grange said the project would allow for electricity to be rerouted to Steiltes through West End if anything interfered with the Delta line’s supply to the area. It would switch over immediately while repairs were made, instead of leaving the area without electricity for hours.
The Steiltes electricity supply project and the Anderson-Delta Deload project was included in MLM’s integrated development plan (IDP) as far back as in the 2013/14 financial year.
R2,5 million was budgeted for the project which would affect supply in Ward 17. But, the project’s implementation was put on hold to increase its scope.
Once this process has been finalised, the work can go out on tender. Le Grange says they are hopeful that this may happen as soon as next month.
“Hopefully the problem would be better by summer.”
