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The Dihlabeng community faces an unprecedented electricity crisis, as countless residents are reportedly enduring rolling blackouts, cable theft, and vandalism in areas such as Paul Roux, Fouriesburg, and Panorama. Some residents have been without electricity for weeks, causing significant hardships, especially when coupled with loadshedding.

While Eskom and the municipality engage in a blame game, the DA has taken action by drafting a letter requesting an investigation into the persistent outages. The root causes of the electricity crisis in Fouriesburg, Panorama, and Paul Roux need to be determined and addressed. Insufficient materials and the absence of a functional cherry picker hinder the municipality's ability to resolve the crisis effectively. The allocated budget of only R2.5 million for the fleet in the 2023/2024 annual budget exacerbates the challenge of delivering satisfactory electricity services.

In response, the DA will seek answers from the MEC of CoGTA, demanding clarity on the causes of these outages and a concrete plan of action to restore reliable electricity provision. It is essential to hold the governing party accountable and highlight the urgency of resolving these issues promptly. The DA emphasizes the need for proper planning and a budget that prioritizes addressing this crisis and delivering the services the community deserves.

The DA urges community members to register to vote in the upcoming 2024 elections to bring about the change needed to tackle these challenges effectively. It is time to remove the ANC from power and replace them with a government that truly serves the best interests of the community.

Issued by Willie Theunissen - DA Councillor Dihlabeng Local Municipality