Ext 18 residents stormed the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s technical yard at eMbalenhle and locked the gates on Thursday, May 26, demanding that the new transformer be installed.
These residents also demanded to be addressed by the mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma, regarding the electricity outages in their area.
When they heard that the Congress of the People (COPE) was handing over a service delivery memorandum to the municipality near the police station, the community joined in.
After receiving a memorandum from COPE, the MMC for Energy, Aron Mbokazi, and eMbalenhle senior technician, Elijah Mkhombe, addressed them.
It was agreed that the transformer will be fixed, and then Mkhombe accompanied them to the affected area where the transformer was fixed.
Mkhombe told residents that the electricity situation in Ext 18 has improved because there are no more outages, especially in the morning and evening.
There were also allegations that a certain municipal official and a councillor are the ones who are perpetrating acts of violence against the municipality because these two are fighting the mayor.
It is also alleged that the employee firstly addressed the community members before the technical yard gates were locked.
Lucky Mhlongo, acting head of communications for the municipality said the municipality is working on decreasing power outages in eMbalenhle and requested that the community be patient.
“Sometimes, the community fights with the municipality because of Eskom load-shedding. The current electricity situation in Ext 18 and the whole of eMbalenhle has improved for the better.
“Outages are now manageable, we are aware of the allegations that are levelled against one of the employees and a ward councillor who are using the community to fight their personal battles.
“We are saying all those with information about this plot must come forward.
“The municipality is working around the clock to fix the electricity problems in its jurisdiction,” said Mhlongo.
COPE also gave the municipality seven working days to respond to its demands after their march.
Their demands are stable electricity and the fixing of roads in Ext 16 at Mandela section.
