Thousands of residents in areas including Bonanne, Bophelong and Stephanopark in Vanderbijlpark are once again without electricity after a fire broke out at the Town substation on 18 June.
It was the fourth fire at this substation since 2018.
With the support of local businesses, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) replaced the roof and walls, which were destroyed by fire, of the substation in Curry Boulevard in 2018 and again in 2024. In May this year, a third fire broke out, leaving households stranded without power for days.
In addition to major power outages, residents are also plagued by weekly disruptions caused by electrical faults at the substation.
It has a severely detrimental impact on residents’ quality of life, small businesses and educational institutions.
The Freedom Front Plus already lodged a formal complaint with the Municipal Manager, Mr April Ntuli, demanding that the substation be repaired to minimise power outages. At the moment, the Municipality is only implementing temporary solutions, though.
The Freedom Front Plus and community demand:
• Immediate and permanent repairs to the substation;
• An independent investigation into the causes of the fires;
• Transparent communication from the Municipality regarding the way forward;
• Accountability for offenders or negligence within municipal structures.
The Freedom Front Plus, furthermore, lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) for the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s unfair treatment of the affected communities.
The party believes that the failure to resolve this issue constitutes a violation of residents’ human rights, in particular their right to equitable service delivery, dignity and access to a safe living environment.
The Freedom Front Plus invites all affected residents to attend a meeting this afternoon at 18:00 in the park on Goodyear Street in CW5.
Emfuleni Municipality residents should no longer tolerate decayed infrastructure.
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