Frustration over recurring power outages has prompted Ward 50 councillor Lenise Breytenbach to clarify the responsibilities of a ward councillor, reminding residents that while councillors play an important advocacy role, they are not responsible for repairing electricity faults or restoring power.

Breytenbach addressed growing concerns from community members who have questioned the pace of electricity restoration during outages affecting the area.

“I need to clarify something very important. A ward councillor is not responsible for causing power outages, repairing them, or deciding how long the repair will take,” she said.

She explained that electricity outages are managed solely by the Tshwane metro’s technical departments, which have qualified electricians, planners, dispatch teams, and established safety procedures to investigate and repair faults.

According to Breytenbach, her responsibility is to ensure that residents’ complaints reach the correct municipal departments and receive the necessary attention.

“What I can do and what I always do is escalate every reference I receive. Push for updates, keep asking for time frames, make sure your issues are logged with the correct departments and share information as soon as it is given to me,” she said.

She added that she cannot switch the electricity back on, repair damaged cables, dispatch technical teams, determine repair timelines or override municipal procedures.

“Sometimes the teams are busy with dangerous high-voltage work, and updates come slowly, not because the councillor is ignoring you, but because the teams themselves are still busy on-site,” she explained.

Breytenbach acknowledged the frustration experienced by residents, saying she is equally affected by prolonged outages.

“I know the frustration. I also live here. I feel the same impact as every resident. I will continue doing my part: fighting, escalating, communicating, and making sure your concerns are heard.”

Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the roles of ward councillors and municipal service delivery departments are clearly defined within the local government system.

“South Africa uses a mixed or hybrid local government electoral system, which combines a ward-based system and a proportional representation (PR) system during municipal elections,” explained Mashigo.

He said a ward councillor is elected directly by residents within a geographically defined ward and is responsible for ensuring that the concerns and interests of those residents are represented in Council.

Mashigo further clarified that municipal departments, not councillors, carry the responsibility for resolving service delivery issues.

“Ward councillors are responsible for co-ordinating, monitoring, and escalating service delivery complaints on behalf of residents.

“Municipal service delivery departments, on the other hand, are responsible for investigating, addressing, and resolving those complaints,” he said.

The clarification comes as many communities continue to experience electricity interruptions, with residents often turning first to their ward councillors for answers.

While councillors remain an important link between communities and the municipality, the metro emphasised that technical faults and repairs ultimately fall under the responsibility of its specialised service delivery departments.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel