Power crisis in Ventersdorp leaves residents in a lurch, puts pressure on local economy
The power crisis in Ventersdorp has now worsened to such an extent that it is having a direct negative impact on households, businesses, schools and the overall well-being of the community. AfriForum’s Ventersdorp branch is now calling on Gaba Thithiba Ka Qhele, executive mayor of the JB Marks Local Municipality, to urgently address various complaints regarding ongoing power problems in this town.
Residents are suffering from frequent, prolonged power outages due to the town’s limited electricity infrastructure. Only one of the town’s two transformers is reportedly currently operational, leading to frequent load shedding measures being implemented on the power grid, especially during the winter months….
The consequences of this are far-reaching. Residents report damage to household appliances, food losses, interruptions to water pumps, difficult learning conditions for school-going children, and increased safety risks due to dark streets and increased cable theft. Local businesses are further forced to use generators at great expense to continue their operations.
Access to reliable electricity and water supply is not a luxury, but a basic service to which every resident is entitled. The ongoing deterioration of service delivery not only places residents under immense pressure, but also hinders economic growth and development in the town.
AfriForum demands feedback from the JB Marks Municipality on the current state of Ventersdorp’s electricity infrastructure and the steps being taken to solve the problem in the short, medium and long term.
If the necessary interventions do not take place, further steps will be considered to protect the interests of residents.
“Communities cannot continue to live under the burden of inadequate infrastructure and unreliable service delivery. The residents of Ventersdorp deserve answers, accountability and practical solutions,” says Jaco Grobbelaar, AfriForum regional head for the central region.
Residents who are fed up with the failures of municipalities are encouraged to sign AfriForum’s petition to put more pressure on the ruling party to intervene in the municipalities that are so poorly managed. Sign the petition here.
