Community caught in political crossfire remains in darkness

Ward 11 in Osizweni has been has become quite the hot topic for conversation in the town.

The controversy began with a broken transformer and has since culminated in a war of words between two coalition members in the Newcastle Municipality.

In an interview with a local radio station, Musa Thwala, Newcastle Deputy Mayor of Newcastle and President of TSSA stated: “The community begged me to assist them in getting the transformer fixed explaining that they have been in darkness for months and their cries for help had fallen on deaf ears.”

According to Thwala, he enlisted the help of ESKOM, phoning various officials until finally receiving help. He said the officials informed him they would need to conduct an audit before ESKOM could replace the transformer. He described how the audit day came and passed and the officials never arrived to conduct the audit.

“The following week, I was contacted by a member of TSSA who lived in the area telling me that the transformer was replaced and ward 11 had lights on for the first time in months.

Not too long after, videos emerged on social media showing ESKOM officials disconnecting the transformer, all the while ignoring appeals from the people. Thwala says upon investigating, he was told that the transformer was disconnected ‘because it had been installed illegally’

“I asked questions only to be told that a ‘higher-up in the municipality’ sent an email contesting the transformer’s legality and demanding that it be taken down.”

Responding to the circulating public rumours and innuendos, the IFP in the Amajuba District issued a statement distancing the party from the saga:

“Amid the unfolding events in Osizweni, Ward 11, the categorically distances itself from the removal of the electrical transformer,” the statement read.

Declaring their support for the ward’s residents, the IFP called for an immediate investigation into the matter and for authorities to take appropriate action.

Yesterday (March 27) the community of ward 11 led by Thwala, along with local members of the ANC and EFF marched to the Eskom local officers in the Newcastle CBD to demand answers to why the transformer was disconnected.

Handing over a memorandum to Mr. Zulu, the zone area manager, Thwala gave Eskom 48 hours to reply to the community, stating that while the community is in favor of audits, the process needs to be carried out with the electricity that is now in place in the region..

See video of protest here: 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=789063676463489

The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and request an add on our WhatsApp (082 874 5550).