Residents of Zenzele Mapikeleng Village in Ward 7 of the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality are demanding answers over the prolonged delay of electricity despite electricity infrastructure having been installed more than a decade ago.

According to residents, Eskom erected electricity poles, transformers, and power lines in December 2015, raising hopes that households would soon be connected to the grid. However, the infrastructure has remained unused, leaving the community without electricity.

Bolsheviks Party of South Africa leader Seun Mogotji, who is also a Moutse resident, criticised the delay, saying the community continues to be denied access to a basic municipal service.

“The continued failure to resolve whatever legal, financial or administrative obstacles remain is inconsistent with the constitutional obligation of municipalities to ensure the sustainable provision of basic services,” Mogotji said.

Frustrated residents previously staged a protest at the municipal building in Groblersdal, calling for urgent intervention, saying the lack of electricity has left the area vulnerable to crime, with darkness providing cover for criminals at night.

Mogotji has called on the municipality to provide a written explanation for the delay and clarify whether outstanding issues relate to servitudes, landowner compensation, funding, or any other administrative matter.

He also urged the municipality to outline a clear implementation plan, including timelines for when the project will be completed and households connected to electricity.

In addition, Mogotji called for the municipality and Eskom to jointly brief the community regarding the project, as the prolonged delay is unacceptable and continues to have a negative impact on residents.