Electricity to Bethal and eMzinoni improved says mayor at Sona
He said the towns also need a permanent solution to their water shortage.
Bethal and eMzinoni are exempted from Eskom load-shedding, said the Govan Mbeki Municipality mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma.
Zuma, in his State of the Municipality Address, held at Lillian Ngoyi Centre in Secunda on May 19, said the electricity supply in these towns, as well as in eMbalenhle, is improving.
He said the municipality is the only institution implementing load-shedding in Bethal and eMzinoni. Eskom is not involved.
“Bethal and eMzinoni communities have a right to get a better electricity supply and I am proud to say that their electricity situation is better than in previous years.
“These towns experienced electricity blackouts as the electricity capacity continued to be a problem due to high demand.
“This demanded that we act regardless of our financial crisis.”
Zuma said the intervention yielded results.
“Working with the Gert Sibande District Municipality, the Department of Minerals and Energy, and the community, we managed to revamp the electricity infrastructure. We are constructing another line to be connected to a new substation that we are building,” explained the mayor.
“Eskom appreciates the work we are doing in Bethal and eMzinoni and allowed both towns to be recused from Eskom load-shedding.
“The only load-shedding they now have is by the municipality,” said Zuma.
He also said towns have unfortunately experienced water shortages in recent months. According to him, it caused instability and delayed the economic growth in the area.
Zuma attributed the causes to various reasons, including reservoirs not filling up due to low pressure on the supplying pipes, illegal connections on the bulk Rand Water main line and long hours of maintenance by Rand Water.
“Vandalism of the infrastructure within the municipality and aged infrastructure also contributed to the Bethal and eMzinoni water crisis.
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“Currently, both towns are receiving water daily, although they need a permanent solution.
“We appreciate the involvement of Sasol and Rand Water in resolving the water pressure issues in the area. The interventions are continuing until we reach a stable situation.
“We have budgeted more for water infrastructure to ensure everyone gets water,” said Zuma.
Zuma said the municipality would invest R10m in the coming year to upgrade the Bethal and eMzinoni pipeline and storage.
He also said the energy crisis that began in eMbalenhle several years ago is almost eliminated.
