eMZINONI – Angry residents have allegedly attempted to burn down an electrical sub-station in a protest against power cuts in the area last week.
The residents defended their actions on social media and said it is better to burn down the sub-station, because the sub-station is not helping them in any way.
Locals took to the street to protest against power interruptions in the area. Some sections were without electricity for nearly a week.
The disgruntled locals burned tyres and blocked the roads with various objects.
During the protest action on Wednesday, 27 May the residents allegedly looted potatoes off a truck on the Standerton Road.
They also stole the battery of the truck.
A tuck shop on 15th Street was also looted and all the groceries stolen.
Police were summoned and on arrival, the disgruntled locals told them that they should bring Ms Thandi Ngxonono, executive mayor, to address them regarding the electricity problems.
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Police managed to calm the situation and things are back to normal, though residents are still experiencing power cuts.
The municipality has been struggling to supply electricity to locals, especially since the lockdown began.
The municipality blamed this on load shedding, exceeding of maximum load demand, damaged or stolen cables, illegal connections, and non-payment of electricity bills by businesses and residents.
Ms Ngxonono acknowledged that: “We are facing this new normal in the midst of the growing challenges posed by the electricity situation in the municipality, especially in Bethal, eMzinoni and eMbalenhle.
“We want to inform our people that as the leadership of this municipality, we are working around the clock to resolve it once and for all.
“To this end, we have set aside R10-million from other budget votes to attend to the electricity situation in Bethal and eMzinoni.
“We have appointed a service provider to attend to the electricity situation as a matter of urgency.
“The contractor is currently on site attending to the situation.
“As the Govan Mbeki Municipality leadership, we are very concerned with the electricity challenges faced by our people, specifically in eMbalenhle, Bethal and eMzinoni.
“It is against this background that the municipality would like to profusely apologise for the inconveniences caused by the electricity challenges.
“We appeal for calm and cooperation from the community as we attend to the issue through the appointed contractor.”
Ms Ngxonono said the Gert Sibande District Municipality is helping the municipality to produce a permanent solution to this challenge that has been ravaging the municipality for the past few years.
The mayor said the municipality is doing everything practically possible to deal with their Eskom account.
She said progressive engagements are continually taking place with Eskom in order to arrive at a workable solution for this particular challenge.
The Gert Sibande District Municipality had promised to support the Govan Mbeki Municipality with R1-million to tackle to electricity problems in the municipality’s area.
Watch the video of the protest here: https://web.facebook.com/155137887865246/videos/976080979461598/
