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Angry residents of Katlehong, Ekurhuleni have booed and chased President Cyril Ramaphosa away in anger over the power outages that they suffer on a daily basis. This comes after Ramaphosa was booed out of Soweto over the Registration Weekend.

Ramaphosa, who was in Katlehong to launch a new vaccination site, was booed and chased away by angry residents at the end of the vaccination event who wanted him to address the rolling power outages in the area – some which last for up to five months.

Thereafter, while addressing a crowd, more residents expressed their anger at ANC delivery failures, demanding answers from President Ramaphosa.

Yesterday I was in Katlehong and was greeted warmly by residents who have had enough of the incompetence of Ekurhuleni’s ANC-led government. Residents told me how difficult their lives and livelihoods have become due to the municipality’s incompetence.

Some of the houses that I visited had paid electricity and had electricity appliances like stoves, washing machine, TV, microwave and fridge in their houses but are now reduced cooking with a prima stove.

Ekurhuleni experiences well over 1000 power outages daily. Areas like Katlehong experience lengthy outages with no feedback from the municipality as to when their power will be restored.

However, this is not unique to Katlehong.

Residents in every single area I have visited in Ekurhuleni have bemoaned the lack of reliable electricity provided by the municipality.

The ANC is failing the people of Ekurhuleni, where electricity and water issues are making life intolerable.

The DA has a very simple plan to turn around the energy crisis in Ekurhuleni.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) recommended that the municipality employ 1500 people in the energy department. Currently, there are 1100 funded positions, however, there are 229 funded vacant positions in the department.

We will make it a priority that these are filled with immediate effect. We will make sure the stores of the energy department are audited, and that effective stock control is implemented.

Lastly, but most importantly, we make sure that we pass a motion in council to enact the Promulgated Act 10 which will allow independent power producers to feedback into the grid to free the municipality of Eskom.

Residents have suffered for far too long at the hands of those in black, green and gold.

Come 1 November, the people of Ekurhuleni can elect a DA government that will keep the lights on and gets things done.

In this election, the ANC can be voted out. Beyond booing Ramaphosa, it is time to vote out his party at the ballot box.

Issued by DA Ekurhuleni Mayoral Candidate, Refiloe Nt’sekhe MPL