The blame for the power outages that have plagued large parts of the Ekurhuleni Metro since the beginning of the month can be laid squarely on the shoulders of the ANC/EFF coalition for their years of failing to replace or upgrade ageing and dilapidated electricity infrastructure.
Cable theft, unpaid contractors, a shortage of skilled staff and recent stormy weather are all exacerbating the current power crisis.
Among others, communities in Brakpan, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Edenvale, Springs, Benoni, Alberton, Germiston and Nigel endure prolonged and repeated outages as a result of the Metro’s crumbling electricity network.
Residents in parts of Brakpan have just endured their longest power outage yet, with the outage lasting more than a week, while neighbourhoods in Boksburg were left in darkness for more than five consecutive days.
This morning marks the tenth consecutive day without power for parts of Extensions 2, 3 and 4 in the Kempton Park central business district as well as Croydon, Spartan and Bonaeropark – and it seems there is no end in sight nor any clear communication from the Metro Council.
These are just the longest outages; shorter sporadic power supply interruptions are experienced across the Metro every day. This situation, much of which could have been prevented, is forcing Ekurhuleni residents to live in unbearable circumstances.
While the lives of patients who rely on medical devices are endangered, people working from home cannot earn an income.
Food worth thousands of rand is spoiling every day as fridges and freezers cannot operate. Households with elderly or young ones are the hardest hit.
This is not just an inconvenience – it is a humanitarian and economic crisis because the Metro has let things get out of hand.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) demands immediate intervention by the provincial and/or national government to ensure Ekurhuleni is brought to order.
The Freedom Front Plus demands, furthermore, that all contractors be paid immediately to restore operational capacity.
The party also wants a specialised anti-cable-theft unit to be established and increased security measures implemented in high-risk areas.
The Freedom Front Plus will not allow Ekurhuleni residents to be left in the dark while the Metro collapses due to negligence and political incompetence.
