More than 20 000 residents without electricity for four days already; AfriForum demands action

The civil rights organisation AfriForum demanded an urgent plan of action from Mr Neo Skalk, Mayor of the Naledi Local Municipality, after more than 20 000 residents have been left without electricity since Monday morning due to non-payment by this Municipality to Eskom. 

The AfriForum branch in Vryburg in cooperation with various DA Board Members last night organised a meeting regarding this electricity crisis that was attended by approximately 1 500 residents, as well as the Mayor and other Municipal Officials at the banqueting hall in Vryburg.

“Even though the community members who attended the meeting represented only a portion of the affected residents, it was clear from the questions, proposals and opinions by these community members that residents are fed up with the continuous electricity problems and the maladministration of the Municipality,” says Alta Pretorius-Swart, AfriForum’s Regional Coordinator for Stellaland.

According to Pretorius-Swart, the Municipality made no payments to Eskom in the last six months and they can apparently also not afford the minimum fee that Eskom requires.

“Problems with water provision are also starting to occur as a direct result of the electricity supply that was cut off by Eskom.”

Wilton Viljoen, a member of the management of the AfriForum branch in Vryburg, made a submission during the meeting on behalf of the civil rights watchdog and asked some key questions to the Mayor and Speaker regarding the current crisis as well as a plan of action for the road ahead.

The Mayor made an undertaking to supply answers in writing within the next seven days.

“AfriForum will attempt to continue placing pressure on the Municipality and is making a plea to the community to stay involved,” says Viljoen.

Show your support for AfriForum: SMS “Keelvol” to 45344 (R1).