SASOLBURG – Power struggles are heating up in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality (MLM).
The DA is up in arms, planning to take a stand over what they call shocking inaction by the ANC coalition government for leaving residents in the dark.
According to DA councillors in the embattled municipality, the opposition party plans to launch a petition demanding urgent upgrades to local substations.
Raging with fury, councillor Stone Makhema accused the ruling party of dragging its feet and failing to deliver basic services.
Makhema revealed that during the DA-led administration in MLM, a whopping R12m was set aside in the 2022/23 financial year for substation upgrades.
“An additional R1.5m was specifically allocated for upgrading the Leitrim Substation in Harry Gwala, an area of Metsimaholo commonly known as France. Two years after the DA government was removed, no upgrades have been implemented,” he said.
Makhema said these critical improvements were meant to ensure a stable electricity supply to residents in areas of Metsimaholo known as France, Iraq, and Amelia, eliminating rotational power cuts, especially during winter.
“The substation remains unable to handle the electricity demand from all three areas simultaneously.”
“As a result, paying residents in areas of Metsimaholo in France, Iraq, and Amelia continue to endure ongoing blackouts despite meeting their financial obligations,” he added.
Makhema said the electricity network received R1m for repairs in the 2023/24 second adjustment budget, but residents say it’s done little to keep the lights on.
“Poor planning, mismanagement, and a failure to prioritise residents have further worsened the situation,” he added.
According to Makhema, with winter approaching, the DA urges the ANC-led coalition to implement the long-overdue substation upgrades without delay.
“The residents have suffered from poor service for too long, and continued inaction by the municipality will only escalate public frustration.”
The DA will closely monitor the provisions of the current adjustment budget to ensure that allocated funds result in real, tangible service delivery improvements.
At the time of going to print, Metsimaholo Local Municipality spokesperson Dr. Gino Alberts had not responded to inquiries sent to him.
