The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on COGHSTA to urgently intervene in the developing electricity crisis in Griekwastad, as residents face their ninth consecutive day without power.
Siyancuma municipality’s attempt last week, to shift the blame for its old and damaged power lines onto Eskom, was followed by a delayed response to the crisis, failing to inspire confidence in its plans or its ability to speedily restore power to the town.
The municipality, which has not budgeted for electrical infrastructure upgrades in its Integrated Development Plan (IDP), is scouring the country for secondhand power lines, while the entire town is suffering.
The situation has been aggravated by the municipality’s failure to immediately attend to dysfunctional pumps that left residents without water from Thursday to Monday. Some areas are still battling with water shortages in addition to the lack of power.
Businesses have incurred significant damages with one company losing its entire stock of ice. The hospital and clinic are running out of fuel for their generators and have been appealing to the community to sponsor diesel. The old age home is struggling to care for the elderly without warm water. The local school has had to close early due to a lack of electricity and water. Residents are also struggling to prepare meals.
Despite regular communication with the acting Municipal Manager to speed up Siyancuma’s response, the municipality is dragging its feet in resolving and mitigating the effects of this growing crisis.
The DA has issued an urgent appeal to the MEC of COGHSTA, Bentley Vass, to intervene in the situation.
Griekwastad residents deserve the provision of a sustainable supply of electricity and water, from a municipality that cares.