Ekurhuleni Councillors Seek Solutions Amid Energy Challenges

Recently, Ekurhuleni councillors took issue with Eskom. In a bid to address the persistent energy challenges afflicting Ekurhuleni, Ekurhuleni Whip of Council Alderman Jongizizwe Dlabathi convened an urgent meeting with ward councillors and Eskom in Germiston on September 13. The gathering, previously postponed twice, aimed to explore avenues for mitigating the energy crisis impacting the municipality.

Dlabathi had recently undertaken a site inspection of municipal energy depots to gain a firsthand understanding of the hurdles impeding the delivery of reliable energy services to residents.

The Eskom team, which included representatives from the stakeholder and communication department and the technical team, participated in the meeting to provide updates on the energy situation in Ekurhuleni and delineate the aspects of energy management within Eskom’s purview.

During the meeting, Eskom clarified that it is not responsible for all areas regarding load-shedding. Some regions fall under the jurisdiction of the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE), which manages load-shedding schedules for those areas. Amanda Qithi, from Eskom’s stakeholder and communications department, urged councillors to encourage residents to reduce their electricity consumption. She emphasised that overloading, non-payment, and illegal connections are among the factors contributing to electricity issues. When substations are strained, it can lead to damage, she explained.

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Ward 92 Councillor Kade Guerreiro voiced concerns about Germiston businesses affected by load-shedding and inquired about Eskom’s support in addressing this situation. Qithi responded by outlining Eskom’s willingness to assist in mitigating the impact of load-shedding on businesses. She mentioned the Distribution Demand Management Programme (DDMP), which companies can apply for to reduce load-shedding. This program is open to eligible entities within South Africa, regardless of whether a municipality or Eskom supplies them.

The meeting also touched upon the issue of infrastructure damage and tampering. Councillor Jill Humphreys from Bedfordview raised questions about Eskom’s actions to safeguard infrastructure. Qithi assured that Eskom is aware of the damage caused by tampering and theft and is researching ways to protect infrastructure. For instance, copper cables, often targeted due to their scrap value, are replaced with aluminium as part of theft prevention efforts. Qithi also mentioned installing technology in cables to detect vibrations when tampering occurs.

Reflecting on the meeting, Councillor Guerreiro expressed some reservations. While he acknowledged that Eskom provided informative responses, he felt their plans for mitigating the energy issue remained vague.

He also raised concerns about the absence of Clr Leshaka Manamela, the MMC for Water, Sanitation, and Energy, noting that his presence could have facilitated discussions on a municipal level to address the energy crisis more comprehensively.

As Ekurhuleni grapples with these energy challenges, residents and businesses eagerly await further solutions to ensure a reliable power supply in the municipality.

Source: Eskom discusses power issues with Ekurhuleni councillors

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Germiston Residents Rally Outside Ekurhuleni Council Chambers Over Power Crisis

Picture: Supplied by Bedfordview and Edenvale News

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