The DA has ensured residents of Benoni have their concerns taken up to Parliament for urgent redress. Residents have been enduring prolonged power outages caused by loadshedding, as well as subsequent outages due to cable faults, cable theft, and infrastructure failures.
On May 16, 2023, the Portfolio Committee of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) listened to a petition from Ward 25 residents of Benoni.
During the petition hearing, various issues regarding power outages were discussed, including cable theft and vandalism leading to extended outages, grid tripping and overload during power restoration in the evenings, illegal connections on abandoned or vacant properties, which contribute to tripping and high loads, and the need for security services to protect infrastructure in the City of Ekurhuleni.
The primary focus of the discussions was on infrastructure upgrades as a means to address these persistent power outages.
I have written letters to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of COGTA, the Gauteng Premier’s Office, and the City of Ekurhuleni, requesting the infrastructure upgrade plan, along with budgets and implementation plans. These documents are crucial for establishing long-term solutions and plans to improve the electrical infrastructure in Benoni’s suburbs.
The DA remains committed to overseeing this matter until it is resolved and the residents have a consistent supply of electricity.
In the upcoming 2024 elections, residents will have the opportunity to vote out the ANC and elect representatives who will prioritize effective plans to eliminate loadshedding and combat corruption.