eMBALENHLE – The Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) has begun implementing its own loadshedding in the area.
This leaves each extension in the area without power for hours, almost every second day.
The residents have criticised the municipality and have threatened to convene in another protest.
The disgruntled locals said this has been going on for quite some time and that the municipality must do something about it.
Ms Thandekile Masango, resident from Extension 11, said they have gotten used to not having electricity.
“It affects everyone, our children cannot do homework and sometimes they have to bath with cold water.
“The municipality must do something about this.
“Are they only going act after we burn down another building?
“It seems as if the only language they hear is violence.
“We are sick and tired of these power outages.”
In April, the Executive Mayor of the Govan Mbeki Municipality, Ms Thandi Ngxonono, said the municipality is working around the clock to address the electricity problems in order to fast-track service delivery in the area.
She announced that GMM has appointed Bigen Africa as the service provider to address the current electricity crisis in eMbalenhle.
The company will bridge finance and install two 11kV Double Circuit Chickadee Lines from the Bracken Station to the existing municipal ring, switching stations to address the current capacity shortage of 10MVA.
They will also bridge finance to ensure that adequate supply is made available.
Bigen Africa committed to begin with community engagements during the first week of April and the actual project was said to begin in the second week of April.
However, the company has not yet begun with the upgrade.
