The DA and the community of Maluti- A-Phofung (MaP) are disappointed that neither the Mayoral Committee nor the Acting Municipal Manager (MM), Basie Ungerer, (as the previous MM, Futhuli Mothamaha, is on special leave due to pending court case) were present to explain the electricity crisis, proposed solutions or preventative measures taken. Residents and businesses want to know if they will be compensated for the crisis that could have been prevented.
The power has been restored to many areas but some remain without power after 15 days. The DA wants answers on:
- How the selection of contractors for the repairs was conducted;
- the cost of the emergency repairs;
- where these funds came from; and
- alleged sabotage, among other things.
In addition, the Gauteng High Court order for Eskom to take over the electricity function and billing system in June 2021 has been resisted and not implemented. Steps to follow court orders and intervention proposals have been suggested by the DA, but none of them has been implemented.
The representatives that were sent could provide some updates on the municipality’s current state and the fundamental issues in MaP. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Unit Manager, Mr Majozi, announced that a council meeting will be held on Friday to adopt the agreement and delegate implementation to the MM the following week. It is uncertain if the meeting will take place as the two previous council meetings were called off at the last minute.
The mismanagement of Maluti-A-Phofung has created crisis after crisis and the municipality refuses to listen to solutions to ensure good governance. The DA will continue to insist that the Mayor and the MM visit Harrismith to answer the many questions raised by residents.