Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Eleanor Quinta and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Ana Motaung.
The DA in Maluti-a-Phofung is furious to learn that there appears to be no urgency to assist businesses in the Harrismith area to meet year-end production deadlines as they suffer prolonged power outages. We will write a letter to the MEC of CoGTA and raise questions in the Provincial Legislature about the competence of executives placed in charge of this circus.
Several businesses in an industrial area are once again without power and answers. Power failed on Saturday, 30 Nov 2025, and to date, there has been no feedback from the MAP municipality. This, after suffering a 7-day power outage in mid-November.
Business and factory owners play a pivotal role in the economy of any town, and by failing to provide something as simple as feedback, the ANC-run MaP municipality is showing its genuine indifference toward Harrismith. The message is clear: they do not care. Not for the town, its residents, nor its well-being.
Messages and phone calls to senior administrators are ignored, or they receive no feedback. Junior administrators are scrambling to gather input and have no information to share with frustrated business owners. One has to wonder, is this complete incompetence or utter spitefulness?
It is no secret that the municipal stock departments are empty. Something as simple as breakers is not at the disposal of the teams tasked with ensuring a constant power supply. The cherry picker is once again on breakdown, and morale is running low. Irate business owners reprimand staff, and the people responsible for the lack of equipment and material are nowhere to be found.
Political games are being played, and residents’ patience is running out.