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The DA caucus in Maluti-a-Phofung has called for an urgent meeting with the Mayor as well as the Municipal Executive to find an urgent solution to the power outage that has been going on for 35 days. We will also be demanding clear answers on actions that the Municipal Executive took that seem to have caused further delays in restoring power in M-a-P.
 

On 22 December, parts of an electricity substation, about 10 km from Harrismith, was consumed in flames and the transformer on site was damaged. This damage was attributed to lightning. There was no guard at this very important municipal property, and even if the fire brigade was alerted, they are based 60 km away in Qwaqwa.

The fire caused a widespread electricity failure to the areas of Tshiame, Makgolokweng and the factories of the Special Economic Zone, Industriqwa. The DA estimates that over 30 000 people were severely inconvenienced over the festive season. This situation is also massively affecting factories reopening after the festive season and learners as the school year starts.

A transformer of half the capacity needed was sourced and installed long before the room to house the switch gear even had its roof installed.

Then the Municipality was able to borrow a 5 year old transformer, yet unused, from the Free State Development Corporation. The baby transformer was duly removed, but a long delay occurred whilst a vehicle capable of moving the borrowed transformer could be sourced.

Nevertheless, if that had not delayed the supply, delays that had occurred in reroofing and refurbishing the fire damaged building housing the switch gear, would have done so.

Once the borrowed transformer was installed, the contractor found that they did not have the correct equipment to allow them to recondition the transformer oil. Further delays occurred. We have now also established that the Municipality did not appoint a contractor to install the borrowed transformer. Instead they seemingly appointed an “adviser” to oversee the local electricians. We believe this might be irregular and will be questing this deal.

In spite of repeated requests for information from political parties and the community, the authorities are unable to supply realistic completion dates. It seems that absolutely no attempt has been made to plan the project and ensure that necessary equipment is sourced, before it is immediately required.

It is heart-breaking that the political leadership and officials of Maluti-a-Phofung are so incapable of delivering basic services to our community. It is also no surprise that unemployment is such a crisis in the area when this is how the municipality treats factory owners.

The DA has also escalated the matter to the Legislature for intervention. We will continue to fiercely hold leadership to account, and urge the community to use their political votes wisely.

Issued by DA Maluti-a-Phofung Caucus Chairperson, Alison Oates