ELANDSKRAAL – For nearly two years, residents of Elandskraal Ext 1 in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM), have been living without reliable electricity, and their patience is wearing thin.
Residents are up in arms over an abandoned electricity project that has left them without reliable power for a long time.
They say an abandoned electricity project, meant to bring power to the community, has become a stark reminder of broken promises and neglect by the EPMLM.
“We feel like we are being ignored. We have been told that the project is a priority, but nothing seems to be happening,” said a resident, Mpho Mohlala.
The contractor responsible for the project allegedly disappeared, leaving behind a trail of unfinished work and unenergized meter boxes from many households.
“The impact is felt by all. Children struggle to study in the dark, while residents resort to using candles and paraffin, posing a significant fire hazard. It is a safety nightmare. We are worried about our children, our homes, and our lives,” added Mohlala.
Residents are clear, they hold the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality responsible. “The municipality need to take ownership of this project and make it right. We deserve better,” Mohlala added.
He indicated that the municipality’s silence has only fueled the community’s frustration, with repeated attempts to communicate with local councillor and officials have been met with silence.
“This is not the first time Ephraim Mogale Municipality face criticism for its handling of service delivery projects, and residents are demanding answers. We are not asking for much. We just want electricity, like any other community,” pleaded Mohlala.
He said the community is planning to physically protest to the municipality and demand officials to take immediate action to complete the project and address their concerns.
“We have been promised electricity for years, but nothing seems to be happening. It is like we are being ignored. The only way they would listen to us is when we stage a protest,” he said.
EPMLM Spokesperson, Life Nape, said the project was completed and a completion certificate was issued, contradicting residents’ claims that the project was abandoned.
“There were those who arrived while the project was already running, and they must apply for post-connections and will be connected through Eskom in-fills as individual applicants,” Nape said.