Disgruntled Evander residents want transparency from GMM regarding electricity
Evander residents and businesses had been without power for over a week due to the area running on one transformer. Residents were hit with a load reduction that was implemented to take the strain off the only working transformer.
Disgruntled residents gathered on Bologna Road near the substation on July 17 to determine the cause of Evander’s electricity problem and how it will be resolved.
Residents and businesses have been without power for hours each day, and in some cases, for several days. Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) director of energy Robert Maswanganyi said the town is currently running on one transformer because the two transformers (3MVA each) at the substation were overloaded.
Evander’s electricity demand is approximately 8.5 megawatts. Eskom supplies power at 22kV. He said the electricity woes began in August 2024 when the transformers became overloaded and failed.
“It takes an average of eight months to obtain these transformers, unless they are sourced from overseas,” said Maswanganyi.
He said GMM’s suppliers refurbished ‘second-hand’ transformers rated at 5MVA each.
“This was more than enough to service the area. However, in December, unknown individuals opened the oil valves, causing the transformers to fail as they were operating without oil. It’s the same as driving a vehicle without oil,” said Maswanganyi.
He said the transformer had to be completely rebuilt. Now that it is winter, the electricity demand is higher, and the one functioning transformer is taking strain.
Maswanganyi said the GMM is now waiting to receive the second-hand refurbished transformer from its supplier. This transformer will still need to be tested.
He said a request for a third transformer is underway to serve as a backup. This means Evander will have three transformers at 5MVA each.
Residents at the gathering accused the executive mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma, of not respecting the community that pays his salary and said it was disrespectful of him not to show his face or provide answers to the residents.
The Ridge Times asked some residents and businesspeople how the municipal load reduction affects them.
A resident’s experience
“There are no notifications or schedules to plan around. Communication differs among different groups. No one knows what is going on,” said a resident.
He said areas are without power, even during scheduled supply times.
“The GMM and ward councillors are just making things up as they go along. We received a notice when the water lines were being replaced. We could then make alternative arrangements for water. But not with the electricity. There is no transparency,” said the resident.
At the time of this interview, the electricity had been off for 24 hours. During the interview, the power returned.
“We fear sleeping at night. We cannot activate our alarm system because the batteries are flat. This is a perfect time for crime. It costs around R120 an hour to run my generator, and that is just for the basic running of the fridges, charging phones and alarm batteries. We cannot warm up the geyser or use the stove. We have to boil water on gas,” said the resident.
The resident said they had to throw away cold food that had begun to spoil.
Bad for business
A business owner said they have lost a lot of business and fear burglaries in the evenings, as the alarm system does not work when the power is off.
“Business is dying in Evander. On a normal day, we are lucky to reach sales of R1 000 a day. We cannot afford to run a generator now that the electricity is off. We are losing customers who pay by card.
“I say keep the businesses’ electricity on during the day and houses off. Most people are not at home during the day. Businesses need to trade during the day,” said the business owner.
Even the banks closed their doors because of not having electricity. Boneta van der Mescht of Dunns said the company added guards as additional security measures because the alarms could not be activated during the power outages.
“So far, it has cost us an additional R7 000 to get security for the nights the power is off. We also have to be more vigilant inside the store because of theft.
“We are fed up. We cannot continue like this. At this time of the month, our customers buy on account, and we cannot assist with accounts when the power is off. We are now trading manually and do not use a generator,” explained Van der Mescht.
She said the business runs at a loss of R15 000 a day.
“Evander is already a quiet town, and we struggle to reach the target. And now we sit with this. We are at risk of closing this store if this continues,” said Van der Mescht.
Adding to strain on the grid
Concerns have been raised over the development in residential areas that might contribute to the strain on the grid and infrastructure.
“The grid is suffering and cannot handle the load. Yet we have a municipality allowing development,” alleges a disgruntled resident.
He said the municipality tends to itself only and does not care about rendering services to the rate and tax-paying residents.
Maintenance to substations
Questions were also raised on how regularly maintenance and services are being done at the substations.
Well-known businessman and resident Okkie Els said: “There needs to be specific schedules and service plans. Our substations are overgrown.”
“I grew up in this town, which is now falling apart. People on the breadline are struggling,” concluded Els.
