Kempton Park residents and businesses have had to endure recurring and prolonged power outages for years, mainly caused by outdated oil-filled power cables that are already 50 years old.
These cables regularly cause electrical faults, leaving residents without electricity for days or even weeks at a time.
The Ekurhuleni Metro has started replacing these old cables with modern polyethylene cables (XLPE). The new cables are more heat-resistant, can carry a greater load and are considerably easier to maintain. This should reduce cable faults, maintenance costs and prolonged outages.
At present, the project is around 70% complete. It commenced after the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) insisted that the unreliable power network needs to be replaced.
During the time when the Freedom Front Plus was part of the ruling coalition, three powerlines were completed. Since the change in administration, only one additional line has been replaced.
So, progress is unacceptably slow. Repairing the old oil-filled cables is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive, particularly because specialised parts are not available locally and obtaining these parts could take up to four months.
The Freedom Front Plus implores the Metro to complete the rest of the project without further delays. Residents should be kept up to date regarding progress, the expected completion date and any planned interruptions in the power supply.
Kempton Park cannot keep bearing the consequences of a dilapidated electricity grid.
There is only one way to turn Kempton Park around. Vote for the Freedom Front Plus on 4 November.
