Ongoing power challenges spark new talks

AfriForum held a productive meeting with NERSA (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) last week to discuss long-standing electricity issues in Pongola.
This meeting follows years of concern over the municipality’s inadequate maintenance and oversight of local electricity infrastructure.

History of stalled progress

AfriForum first began engaging with NERSA in 2019, but the process stalled due to Covid-19 restrictions. At the time, the town only had one municipal electrician, prompting NERSA to warn the municipality that such staffing levels were insufficient to maintain a reliable electricity supply – a warning that remains on record.

Transformer failures leave town in the dark

Earlier this year, AfriForum resumed discussions with NERSA after a transformer failure left the town without power for three days. The municipality installed a replacement transformer, which proved too small to meet demand efficiently; and although officials indicated they would address the problem, no lasting solution was implemented. In August, the transformer exploded again. Then, two weeks ago, a municipal electrician suffered an electric shock, reportedly due to lack of proper equipment.

Municipality criticised for lack of representation

Tensions escalated before Wednesday’s meeting, when the municipality failed to send a senior representative, prompting NERSA to visit the municipal offices in person and demand to speak to the municipal manager. NERSA described the absence as unacceptable. The municipality eventually sent one of its electricians to attend.

AfriForum welcomes constructive meeting

According to Marilda Schoombee from AfriForum Pongola, the meeting was constructive. “NERSA doesn’t travel for meetings without good reason,” Schoombee said. “We are pleased they listened to us and that a tribunal will now be established to enable further action.”

Call for local service management

Provincial co-ordinator Eugene van Aswegen said, “AfriForum believes the solution lies in service delivery driven by local community organisations, which are more likely capable of rendering proper services. We can’t rely on politicians any longer to render efficient service delivery.”

Stakeholders attend high-level discussion

Those present included Leonard Bal (Eskom), Heinrick Koen, Steven van Blerk, Ian van Niekerk, Gert Scheepers, Koos Kruger, Eugene van Aswegen (AfriForum co-ordinator) and Theuns Theunissen (AfriForum board member and Agrihub representative).

NERSA inspects local infrastructure

AfriForum took NERSA on an ‘electricity tour’ through Pongola to provide a first-hand look at the challenges the community faces. AfriForum told NERSA that residents cannot continue to suffer under poor municipal services and unsafe conditions. They also expressed their readiness to take over local electricity distribution, noting that Pongola has skilled individuals capable of managing the system.

Tribunal to investigate municipal licence

Vuyelwa Poswa from NERSA confirmed that processes exist to cancel a licence and said that a tribunal will investigate the matter. AfriForum has requested permission to apply for a distribution licence in the meantime.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.