Municipal infrastructure crucial to service delivery should not be subjected to load-shedding, according to the South African Local Government Association (Salga). The organisation wants to meet with newly appointed electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to discuss the matter, says Salga president Bheke Stofile

“We would like to talk with the minister to try and exempt some municipal infrastructure from load-shedding because it hinders with providing service delivery to the people,” Stofile says.

Load-shedding also results in revenue losses and damage to electricity distribution networks, especially substations.

Treatment plants and other infrastructure were also affected while opportunistic theft and vandalism during load-shedding were also a problem.

“Ramokgopa’s appointment couldn’t have come at a better time,” Stofile says.

“It sends a strong signal that the government was focusing on key governance issues that require immediate attention.”

He says Salga welcomed Ramokgopa as the Minister of Electricity in the Presidency.

“We believe that he will speed up the implementation of the national energy plan.

“As a former Tshwane mayor, he is ideally qualified and experienced to work closely with Cogta and other government departments to collectively find solutions to our electricity, water, sanitation, waste management and environmental management challenges.”

The country has more than 3 000 ageing municipal substations that are increasingly blowing up, which is in turn adding up to the country’s electricity woes.