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Dawid Kruiper is increasingly struggling with electricity outages following the lack of capacity to attend to electrical emergencies in and around Upington.

This was again seen this week, when a power outage on the West side of town and also at the Kameelmond Waste Water Treatment Plant, caused by damaged cables, left the affected areas powerless for hours.

Even though certain electrical incidents are responded to by electricians, they are not always able to be attended to due to capacity issues.

During a Special Council Meeting this morning, the DA tabled a motion calling for personnel appointments, in accordance with the recommendations made by NERSA in March 2021, to be urgently finalised. This should include the vacant posts for electricians and the post of an Electrical Director.

The electrical needs of residents should no longer be ignored.

If the posts, that were already advertised and shortlisted, are not filled then the electrical unit will not be able to deliver on its mandate to provide residents with a sustainable electricity supply. This could cause the municipality to lose its license for electricity provision.

In addition to the motion, the DA will report the outstanding electrical appointments to COGHSTA in the hope that the MEC will place additional pressure on Dawid Kruiper municipality to speedily fill the posts and power up Dawid Kruiper municipality.

Issued by Rudolph Saal, Cllr - Dawid Kruiper municipality