Rooikoppen is still (mostly) in the dark
Residents had hoped their situation would improve because of upgrades.
Sakhile residents in the Lekwa Local Municipality are still facing constant power outages despite infrastructure upgrades underway since 2024.
Upgrades in Rooikoppen include the construction of an 11kV switching substation and a six-kilometre 11kV power line connecting the substation to Rooikoppen.
Residents had hoped their situation would improve because of these upgrades, but outages are now worse than ever, according to affected community members.
Locals claim this is because of an incomplete project, accusing the municipality of putting more money into the project while continually extending the completion timeframe.
Sakhile resident Vusi Mokoena said the electricity supply in their area remains unreliable.
“What our municipality is doing to us as ratepayers is unfair. We have been faced with an electricity problem for years.
“We were promised that by this year electricity interruptions will be a thing of the past because they are building an additional substation at Rooikoppen, but now it is worse.
“Not long ago, Lekwa announced that they are installing smart electricity meters to stabilise our electricity supply and protect their infrastructure, but nothing is changing. We are now faced with more electricity interruptions,” Mokoena said.
Mokoena claimed millions in public funds are being stolen in the name of stabilising and fixing the electricity infrastructure.
Lekwa Local Municipality communications manager Lubabalo Majenge said while the need for electricity infrastructure upgrades in the Rooikoppen area formed part of municipal infrastructure planning in August 2024, the project comprises two related components: the 11kV Rooikoppen switching station and the 6km 11kV bulk line between Substation A and Rooikoppen. Both projects are about 90% complete.
“For the 11kV switching station, substantial civil and building works have been completed, including the main building works, fencing and other associated infrastructure.
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“The remaining works relate primarily to the completion of electrical installations, outstanding equipment or panels, cabling, testing, commissioning and associated snag items.
“For the 6km 11kV bulk line, about 90% of the works have been completed, including substantial pole erection and line stringing works.
“The remaining works are linked principally to the final connection, underground cabling and integration with the switching station,” Majenge said.
Majenge said delays are associated with various factors, including limited annual grant funding relative to total project requirements.
“It is therefore important to clarify that the project is not abandoned or stagnant; physical works have progressed substantially to 90% complete.
“The project has been funded through the Integrated National Electrification Programme grant. The municipality has had to manage the implementation within the annual grant allocations and available cash flow, while ensuring that expenditure is supported by certified work completed,” Majenge said.
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Majenge said the municipality does not agree with characterisations that public funds are being repeatedly funnelled into a stalled project without oversight.
He added that the project remains active and substantial physical progress has been achieved.
“Payments are made against work certified by the appointed professional team, supported by project progress records and site inspections.
“The municipality acknowledges, however, that the project has experienced delays and that these have understandably caused frustration among affected residents.
“The municipality is therefore actively addressing the outstanding contractual, financial and technical matters to bring the project to completion.
“It is, therefore, incorrect to describe expenditure on certified work as simply ‘reinvestment’ in a stalled project.
“The outstanding expenditure relates to completing the remaining contractual works required to bring the infrastructure into operation,” Majenge said.
Majenge added that the municipality recognises the severe impact electricity interruptions have on households, businesses and essential services in Standerton and Sakhile.
“While the Rooikoppen project is being completed, the technical team continues to prioritise fault response, network maintenance, operational switching and restoration of supply, with critical faults being attended to as a priority.
“The municipality acknowledges the legitimate concerns of residents regarding the duration of the project and the impact of electricity interruptions.
“The municipality remains committed to resolving the outstanding matters and bringing the Rooikoppen 11kV infrastructure into operation as soon as the required works, testing and commissioning requirements have been satisfactorily completed,” Majenge said.
