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The community of QwaQwa in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality has endured several days without electricity, causing immense suffering for residents and businesses alike. The situation has reached a critical point, with the generator at Manapo Hospital collapsing due to the power outage.

This failure has had dire consequences, particularly for ICU patients whose ventilators have ceased functioning due to drained batteries and a lack of diesel for the backup generators, leading to a situation that could tragically cost lives. Additionally, hospital phones are non-operational because of the electricity crisis.

During a recent presentation to the MaP council, Eskom was unable to commit to any time frames for the commencement of its operations. Despite the ongoing suffering, Eskom has not even initiated phase 1 of its plan. This comes after the grand fanfare of signing the Eskom Distribution Agency Agreement (DAA) in a desperate attempt to regain some credibility with voters in the area, just three weeks before the election on 29 May.

For years, the ANC-led municipality in MaP has displayed financial irresponsibility. It has failed to maintain a proper billing system, exercise consistent credit control, invest in infrastructure, manage and equip staff effectively, and have accumulated enormous debts with Eskom.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will exert pressure on the municipal leadership to ensure that the community and businesses of QwaQwa receive the services they deserve. Immediate action must be taken to restore power and prevent further suffering. Additionally, The DA has reported this issue to the Provincial Legislature to ensure that a plan of action is implemented to save MaP from incompetence.

Issued by Ana Motaung - DA Councillor Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality