7 years in darkness despite pleas to muni
A community within the Polokwane Municipal area says they have over the years submitted requests for electricity but the lack of action by the municipality has literally them us in the dark.
POLOKWANE – Residents of Riverside in Ga-Thoka near Mankweng, claim they have been living without electricity for the past seven years.
A community representative, Mokgadi Mphoka, told BONUS that the lack of electricity has made it difficult to get by.
“We use paraffin lamps and are forced to cook on open fires, which is a safety risk to the young children in our homes,” she explained.
Mphoka says in a recent incident, a family in the area lost all their belongings, including important documentation, school books, clothing and furniture, when their shack burned down after a broken paraffin lamp fell over.
She said numerous engagements with the municipality have left them despondent, as their constant pleas have been in vain.
“We submitted requests for electricity over the years but the lack of action by the municipality has literally left us in the dark. It is frustrating that neighbouring communities have been supplied with electricity even though we have been asking for electricity and we were notified that we are on the list for connection. Seven years is a long time to have been promised electricity and nothing comes from it. The municipality never act on their promises and we are tired of it,” she said.
Mphoka says the community planned to protest over the lack of electricity but was discouraged by the municipality to do so.
During the recent 2021/26 Draft IDP budget address by the Polokwane Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) outlined all projects to be carried out by the municipality which will benefit communities in its jurisdiction. In her address, Nkadimeng mentioned that the municipality would collaborate with Eskom to upgrade the Boyne substation, which she says will increase electricity capacity to allow for the increase of supply in and around Mankweng. The budget also notes the upgrade of the Nobel substation and the University substation, as well as the construction of the new Rampheri substation.
Municipal Spokesperson, Thipa Selala told BONUS that they are aware of the community’s grievances and that they are looking into the matter urgently.
