Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Marelize Boeije and Sesotho soundbite by David Masoeu MPL.
The DA in Moqhaka has written to the Municipal Manager to implement a properly maintained and proactively managed electricity network.
Kroonstad residents were once again left without electricity over the past few days as bad weather exposed ongoing problems in the town’s electricity infrastructure.
It has become increasingly concerning that even relatively minor rain and wind can result in widespread electricity interruptions. For many residents, these outages are not measured in hours, but in days. In some instances, households have been left without electricity for up to four days while electricity teams struggle to attend to faults during adverse weather conditions.
While severe weather can undoubtedly damage electricity networks, the frequency and duration of these outages raise serious concerns about the condition, maintenance, and management of the municipality’s electricity infrastructure.
There are also concerns regarding the quality and oversight of work carried out by some electrical contractors. Residents have reported instances where contractors have worked on electricity poles and equipment but failed to close or secure electrical boxes properly afterwards.
This is not only poor workmanship; it also creates a serious safety risk and leaves infrastructure vulnerable to weather, damage, and further electrical faults.
The municipality must ensure that contractors are properly qualified, that work is inspected after completion and that contractors are held accountable when work does not meet the required standards. Municipal infrastructure cannot simply be repaired and then left in a condition that creates the potential for the next failure.
Residents should not have to accept that rain automatically means they will lose electricity.
A properly maintained and proactively managed electricity network should be more resilient to ordinary weather conditions. Preventative maintenance, replacement of ageing infrastructure, proper inspections and sufficient resources for emergency repairs are essential to ensuring a reliable electricity supply.
The DA believes that electricity is an essential municipal service and that residents deserve better.
When the DA takes over the governance of Moqhaka Local Municipality on 4 November, restoring and maintaining a reliable electricity supply will be one of our priorities. We will focus on proper infrastructure maintenance, effective planning, accountability and ensuring that municipal resources are directed towards delivering essential services to residents.
Our communities cannot continue living in uncertainty every time clouds gather or the wind starts blowing.
It is time for change. It is time for reliable electricity. It is time to have the lights stay on when it rains.