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A recent oversight inspection to the Prieska area confirmed that some beneficiaries of an RDP housing project have, for the past two years, had to battle against the province’s extreme temperatures without electricity security. Due to the discrepancies in the installation process of two different electricity boxes, residents have been unable to utilize the built-in electricity meters and were forced instead to rely on flex cables to provide lighting and power supply to electrical appliances. Since June 2021 they have had no power.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape is deeply troubled by the incompetence and resultant poor service delivery provided by COGHSTA and the Siyathemba local municipality, as vulnerable and sickly residents either have no access to electricity in their RDP homes or, through no fault of their own do not have the standardised electricity meter boxes installed. In effect, a resident who depends on an electronically supplied oxygen machine has had to vacate their allocated RDP home and move in with family members or friends due to the lack of electricity supply in their own home. The situation is also particularly unfair to disabled residents, who have no option but to trek into the bush to gather firewood, or alternatively buy paraffin in order to survive the cold nights.

While residents continue to suffer, ESKOM, COGHSTA and the municipality are failing to resolve the matter and come to an agreement over safety issues and the payment for the connection of the 20kW and 60kW electricity meter boxes. It is further worrisome that only ANC councillors were invited to a meeting with COGHSTA, the municipality and community members to discuss this problem.

The DA has raised our concerns with the MEC for COGHSTA, Bentley Vass. We expect him to convene an urgent stakeholder meeting to resolve the matter. We also want him to institute an investigation into the installation of the differing electricity meters, to ensure accountability in respect of the electrification of the project.

Residents should not have to bear the brunt of poor planning and service delivery in any municipality. They must regain their power at the ballot so that they can restore power to their homes, by voting for change.

Issued by The DA