Mayor Gregory Nthatisi, engineering and infrastructure services MMC Vusi Sogaqa, and Centlec CEO Malefane Sekoboto officially handed over 14 double-cab bakkies during a ceremony on Tuesday (28/7). The vehicles will be deployed to several operational divisions. 

Three have been allocated to maintenance teams, four to revenue collection and maintenance, five to security services, and one for office use. The vehicles were not acquired to replace operational limitations, but to strengthen Centlec’s ability to serve residents, the mayor said.

Bakkies were bought to strengthen service delivery at Centlec. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

He praised Centlec for its performance, accountability, and financial discipline, describing it as one of the metro’s strongest entities. “Centlec will remain one of the prides of this metro. Looking at its books, this is an entity that either receives a clean audit or, at worst, an unqualified audit.”

Mangaung mayor Gregory Nthatisi test driving a new bakkie. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Centlec accounts for its activities and has a disciplined workforce that has helped maintain the metro’s electricity network, Nthatisi said.

He also praised cooperation between Centlec security services and law enforcement agencies, saying it had helped protect electricity infrastructure and improve the stability of the power grid. Sogaqa thanked Centlec management for prioritising service delivery and maintaining discipline within the utility. Since taking office, he had witnessed a strong commitment to excellence, accountability, and improved services from the entity, Sogaqa said.

The five bakkies allocated to security services will strengthen Centlec’s response to cable theft and vandalism, which affect the metro’s electricity network daily, Sekoboto said.

“We are working with the SAPS to address the crime we experience. We appreciate the collaboration because a truck carrying a large quantity of cables was recently intercepted.”

The handover forms part of the first phase of Centlec’s vehicle renewal programme. A second phase is expected within the next four months and will include cherry-picker trucks to support maintenance and other technical operations.

Centlec CEO Malefane Sekoboto unveiling new fleet alongside workers of the power entity. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Centlec generates about R4bn in annual revenue, manages assets valued at approximately R11bn, and employs more than 800 people. It supplies electricity to almost 196,000 customers, including about 41,000 indigent households approved by the municipal council.

Sekoboto recently began a second term as CEO and has committed to creating opportunities for young people, improving employees’ skills, and modernising the utility through innovation and technology.

Centlec is also implementing a human capital strategy to prepare employees to manage conventional electricity infrastructure and emerging digital technologies.

The programme includes structured knowledge transfer and targeted training to equip employees for changes in the energy sector.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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