The DA in Govan Mbeki Municipality’s concern about the dilapidating state of the electricity infrastructure in Trichardt is increasing.
Trichardt has been experiencing a number of electricity problems and is said to have left residents and business owners in the town extremely worried for the future of the electrical infrastructure, as well as the damage that it has caused and will cause to their assets and the potential negative impact that inconsistent electricity supply has on local businesses.
DA Councilor, Ms Ciska Jordaan, said in a press statement that one must also consider the impact that inconsistent electricity supply has on the local clinic, the dialysis centre, the Mediclinic Highveld and other medical establishments in the town relying on the provision of electricity to save lives – more especially so during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There have been occasions when several areas in Trichardt have been without electricity for extended periods of time during which three minisubs in different parts of the town had to be replaced. Since the replacement of these minisubs, residents have complained of fluctuating current and voltage which creates insecurity in the state of safety of the infrastructure as well as the financial cost to businesses and on municipal accounts,” said Ms Jordaan.
She said that there are growing concerns arising from the fact that Bethal, eMzinoni and eMbalenhle are currently experiencing load-shedding imposed by the municipality partially due to dilapidated infrastructure that is not being attended to because of the financial incapability of the municipality.
“The municipality is now owing Eskom and Rand Water more than R2 -billion but also experienced 75 per cent electricity loss during of August,” said Ms Jordaan.
She said that residents in Trichardt are fearing that their town might be next in line to experience prolonged electricity outages.
It is for this reason that the DA submitted a motion to the Govan Mbeki Municipality that was considered during the council meeting on August 26.
“The intention of the DA’s motion was to have an in-depth assessment done on the status of electrical infrastructure and safety with regard to electrical infrastructure in Trichardt and a master plan compiled that will specify the status and layout of electrical infrastructure including streetlamps.
“The motion sought to have a report with the above information made available at the next council meeting. It is unfortunate that the motion was opposed by the ANC and therefore was not accepted by the council,” said Ms Jordaan.
She said that during this meeting, the ANC had openly voted against service delivery.
“ANC councillors also voted against a DA motion which sought to receive progress updates on electricity distribution in Bethal.
“It is clear that the ANC does not care for the people of Trichardt, or the people of Govan Mbeki,” said Ms Jordaan.
She had used the DA-led city of Cape Town as an example and said that they are so advanced in electricity distribution that it is providing electricity from renewable sources to its residents.
“While the country experiences load-shedding by Eskom, the lights are shining in Cape Town. Trichardt, and other towns in Govan Mbeki can also be governed with such distinction if its voters give the DA a chance in the October 27 Local Government Elections,” concluded Ms Jordaan.
