VKLM’s pricey contracts yield no power
“However, it is disappointing to note that despite appointing electrical service providers more than a year ago, the municipality is still battling with the reliable provision of electricity.”
The local municipality of Victor Khanye (VKLM) allegedly appointed three electrical service providers in September 2022.
According to information published in the municipality’s Bid Adjudication Committee, it appointed the companies to design and implement various electrical projects over 36 months.
Diane Bath, the DA councillor in the VKLM, said the contracts awarded to these companies vary between R2m and R3m.
Bath said the DA had anticipated the contractors would deal with the municipality’s electricity reticulation network, repair and maintain infrastructure and install the required electrical equipment.
“However, it is disappointing to note that despite appointing electrical service providers more than a year ago, the municipality is still battling with the reliable provision of electricity,” Bath continued.
The VKLM is known for electricity supply failures, mostly because of cable theft and the ageing infrastructure.
“Open electricity distribution boxes with exposed electrical wires are causes of great concern because they could lead to serious injury or the death of a member of the public,” Bath added.
“The municipality has failed in its mandate to supply, upgrade and maintain electricity infrastructure, as per their National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) license requirements.”
Bath said the DA in the VKLM has called on the municipal manager, Thabo Mashabela, to urgently provide the council with a report detailing work done by the three electrical service providers.
Streeknews tried to get feedback from Mashabela on the progress of the electrical contractors appointed. However, at the time of going to print, it had not received any.
