“Despite these assurances, no progress has been made, and the community remains without power months later.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) PR councillor Nozi Mantshongo, together with the African Independent Congress (AIC) councillor, held a bilateral meeting at Ngqumani village, Ward 10 of Umzivubu Local Municipality, following growing frustration among community members over unresolved service delivery issues, particularly electricity.
According to information provided during the meeting, an African Independent Congress (AIC) councillor representing Ward 10 saw the need to call upon Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Fuzile Sontsi from Umzimvubu Local Municipality, as well as a DA councillor serving at the Alfred District Municipality, to assist in addressing the challenges faced by the community.
Speaking on behalf of the community members, Fakazile Ntwakumba, expressed deep frustration regarding the electrification project in the village. She stated that the village was electrified four years ago, but despite the installation of electricity infrastructure, residents have never been able to use electricity, as it has never worked. She further expressed disappointment at seeing electricity poles erected throughout the village while households remain without power. According to her, the community has made numerous calls to the responsible authorities, including the municipality and Eskom, but no intervention has taken place to date.
Ntwakumba also highlighted serious safety concerns linked to the lack of electricity. She reported that there have been two separate incidents in which community members lost their lives in fires caused by candles. This, she said, is particularly painful given that the village is officially electrified, yet residents continue to live without functioning electricity. She concluded by stating that the on-going situation has left the community feeling neglected, frustrated, and disappointed, as a basic service they were promised has failed to materialise.
The AIC councillor representing Ward 10 further raised concerns about the manner in which community grievances have previously been handled. She alleged that during a past community meeting convened to seek answers on service delivery, the situation escalated and resulted in community members being shot at. She maintained that those affected were innocent residents who were merely demanding accountability and clarity regarding the electrification project.
The councillor also stated that prior to the national elections held in May, the Umzimvubu Local Municipality Mayor visited the community and engaged with the residents about the electricity issue. According to the councillor, the Mayor assured the community that electricity would be restored by June. However, she said that despite these assurances, no progress has been made, and the community remains without power months later. She added that this has further deepened residents’ frustration and mistrust, as repeated promises continue to go unfulfilled.
