The vandalism of sub-stations within Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality is worsening the electricity crisis. The community is struggling to meet their daily needs without electricity and businesses are suffering. With stations being vandalized on a regular basis, the DA asks: Where is the security?
In the latest incident on 9 December 2022, sub-station 1 Industrial at Phuthaditjhaba was vandalized. Causing widespread power outages that have negatively affected the community and businesses.
Despite a Gauteng High Court order in June 2021 and numerous promises from MEC Dukwana and the Deputy President, David Mabuza, that implementation was imminent, the solution devised by the Eskom Task team for Eskom to take over the electricity function, as announced on 10 December 2020, has not been implemented. Had the DAA deal been signed by the Municipal Manager as per discussion with the council on the 23rd of September 2022, Eskom would have had standard security measures in place.
The DA will continue to fight for the communities’ right to adequate services in Maluti-a-Phofung. We have submitted a question to be answered in the next council meeting about the reasons for the delay in signing the DAA. We will continue to hold the municipality to account until basic service delivery is at the standards expected of an accountable government.