DA Calls for Swift Action to Secure Reliable Power Supply in Merafong

Issued by Cllr Carl Steenekamp – DA Merafong Caucus Whip Ward 17 Councillor
05 Jun 2023 in Press Statements

The DA in Merafong finds the continual and unpredictable power outages in the Merafong Local Municipality to be deeply troubling, sharing the anger of residents who suffer as a result. Coupled with the ongoing load shedding, these outages not only disrupt day-to-day activities, but also cause substantial financial losses for local businesses and impede the ordinary lives of our residents.

Whilst acknowledging that no infrastructure is infallible, the frequency and prolonged recovery times of these power cuts have reached unacceptable levels. The key causes of this precarious situation include inadequate maintenance of electrical infrastructure, failure to effectively safeguard substations and combat cable theft, and an antiquated infrastructure ill-prepared to handle the growing demand.

The far-reaching impact of these power outages pervades all aspects of life. Local businesses, in particular, suffer severe losses running into millions of rands due to halted operations, damaged equipment, and wavering customer confidence. The daily routines of residents are incessantly disrupted, detracting from their quality of life and hindering basic tasks.

The Merafong Local Municipality and the MEC for COGTA in Gauteng must intervene immediately to ensure a stable power supply in the area. We urge for prompt attention to be directed towards:

1. Ensuring regular maintenance of electrical infrastructure, preventing avoidable breakdowns and outages;

2. Strengthening substation security and putting in place robust measures to curb cable theft – a recurrent issue causing power disruptions; and

3. Investing in infrastructure upgrades to meet the escalating demand for electricity, providing a dependable power supply for businesses and residents.

The DA stands in solidarity with the citizens of Merafong Local Municipality, advocating for swift action to resolve this pressing issue.

We urge the Merafong authorities and the MEC for COGTA in Gauteng to put the welfare and prosperity of our community first, and to take decisive steps to address these power outages and ensure a reliable power supply.