Repeated attempts to obtain answers from ward councillors have yielded little or no feedback, while efforts to engage the mayor have also failed to produce solutions, residents claim. The prolonged outage has left the community feeling abandoned by those elected to serve them, said resident Damian Joubert.

“We are being completely abandoned by the very people elected to serve us. What makes this crisis an absolute disgrace is the total collapse of accountability from our elected leaders.” 

The situation has reportedly reached breaking point for some households. Residents say food is spoiling, businesses are losing money, and vulnerable community members are struggling to cope. Several people who depend on continuous medical oxygen therapy are also without electricity.

Families have been forced to make emergency arrangements, including running petrol generators for extended periods. This is placing additional financial pressure on households already dealing with the effects of the prolonged outage.

Residents are also questioning what they regard as unequal responses to electricity failures across the municipality. A damaged substation in Sasolburg was dealt with far more quickly.

“What makes this prolonged crisis even more infuriating is the blatant double standard in how municipal priorities are handled. When a substation blew up in Sasolburg, the municipality managed to secure three competitive quotes within a single day to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, the residents of Deneysville are expected to sit in the dark and suffer indefinitely,” said Joubert.

Cable theft left Deneysville residents without electricity, Photo supplied

Metsimaholo municipality has attributed the prolonged outages affecting parts of Deneysville and Oranjeville mainly to repeated vandalism and the theft of electrical cables and other infrastructure. Municipal electrical teams and appointed service providers are attending to affected areas, spokesperson Gino Alberts said.

“These incidents are unfortunately occurring on an ongoing basis and have had a direct impact on the municipality’s ability to maintain a stable electricity supply in the affected areas. The municipality’s electrical department is fully aware of the affected areas and is actively attending to the outages.”

Restoring electricity after infrastructure has been stolen or vandalised involves more than simply switching the power back on. 

Damaged sections first have to be assessed, materials and equipment sourced, and repairs completed safely. Where replacement equipment has to be procured, restoration times can be extended, Alberts said.

“It is important to emphasise that the municipality is not ignoring these outages. Teams are continuously working to restore affected areas, while also responding to new incidents of cable theft as they occur.”

Repeated theft is making normal repair times difficult to maintain because infrastructure restored in one area can be targeted again soon afterwards, Alberts said. The municipality has intensified security patrols in affected areas with assistance from private security companies and the police.

The measures are intended to protect critical electricity infrastructure, deter further criminal activity, and assist law enforcement in responding to incidents. The municipality is meanwhile working to secure the materials and equipment required to complete outstanding repairs.

All identified outages are expected to be addressed by Friday (2/10), subject to the availability and delivery of the required materials. The municipality has condemned the continued theft and vandalism, saying it disrupts an essential service and creates risks for residents, businesses, and municipal employees.

Albert apologised to affected residents for the inconvenience and hardship caused by the prolonged outages.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs

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