DA calls for functional local Eskom office
The DA is calling on residents to support its petition demanding that Eskom establish a fully functional customer care office on the South Coast.
The DA in the Ugu District is calling for the establishment of a dedicated Eskom office on the South Coast.
Clr Stephanie Breedt said that this would dramatically improve communication between Eskom and its customers.
In a statement, Breedt said the party has also launched a petition.
She said the idea of the petition came after concerns were raised about the ongoing struggles faced by South Coast residents when it came to resolving electricity-related issues with Eskom.
Currently, said Breedt, residents are forced to rely on Eskom’s WhatsApp chatbot ‘Alfred’, or endure hours-long waiting times from the call centre for assistance.
“For communities that are already plagued by frequent and prolonged power outages, this lack of direct and responsive customer support is both unacceptable and unsustainable. In addition, technical repair teams face unnecessary delays as spare parts must be collected from Pinetown or Pietermaritzburg. With no 24-hour emergency contact line available for residents, communities are left in the dark,” she said.
Breedt explained that such an office would not only enhance service delivery, but also empower communities to actively participate in energy management and hold Eskom accountable for failures.
The councillor said it was unfair that Eskom continues to demand steep electricity tariff hikes while delivering less service.
“This is especially harsh on cash-strapped pensioners across the South Coast. The DA is calling on residents to urgently support our petition demanding that Eskom establish a fully functional customer care office on the South Coast,” she said.
Residents can find the petition on the DA KZN Facebook page.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page
