Close to 30 households in Vryheid East are still waiting for electricity, more than a year after AbaQulusi Local Municipality announced an electrification project that raised hopes among residents.

Nearly 30 households still without electricity

The project was announced in July 2025 and was expected to benefit 967 households in Nseka, Tholithemba and Vryheid East, with work scheduled to begin on July 21, 2025.

While residents in the other areas have received electricity, the households in Vryheid East remain without power.

A concerned resident said some community members took the initiative to visit the municipality a few months ago to seek answers about the project. They submitted a letter outlining their concerns, but according to the resident, they have yet to receive a response.

Residents call on municipality to provide answers

The resident has called on the mayor or municipal speaker to visit the community again and address the issue.

“I would like the mayor or speaker to visit the community once again to address this issue, because we were promised electricity. We need to know what is going on. Since we have lived in the area in the early 2000s, we have never had electricity. We wish to have lights as well, especially with the festive season approaching.”

Land access and funding concerns raised

Concerns have been raised about the project’s progress, including reported difficulties obtaining permission to access the land where the work was to be carried out.

Information provided indicates that written authorisation from the landowner was submitted on August 4 this year. However, it remains unclear whether this resolved the reported land access issue.

On September 30, the ward councillor reportedly indicated that funding was available for the project.

Residents still want clarity on whether the funds have been secured and allocated, why the work has not been completed and when their homes will be connected.

Questions remain over possible legal proceedings

Questions have also been raised about reports of a possible court case affecting the project. The municipality has been asked to clarify whether any legal proceedings exist and whether this has affected the work.

Municipality yet to respond to formal enquiry

The Vryheid Herald sent a formal enquiry to AbaQulusi Local Municipality’s media liaison on October 7, seeking answers about the project’s progress, funding, land access and expected completion date.

The media liaison responded that the municipality was occupied with its Integrated Development Plan (IDP) roadshows. A follow-up last week did not result in answers to the questions raised.

At the time of going to press, the municipality had not provided a response to the enquiry.

Residents continue to wait for electricity

Residents are still waiting to find out why their households have been left without electricity, when work will resume and when they can expect to have electricity in their homes.

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.