Newvale power issues

ELECTRICITY problems continue in Newvale ward 13 even after two circuit breakers were installed two weeks after The Rep’s report (’Power Fury’, October 13) about power outages.

Ward committee member Welile Oliphant confirmed that new circuit breakers were installed on October 12 for two sections in the ward which falls under the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality.

“We were happy to have electricity again but this is a temporary solution. We need the municipality to change our old electricity boards. Most residents’ boards are either broken or blank, so we cannot buy electricity. We use it for nothing and we have reported this to the municipality, but nothing has been done.

“I once reported my broken board when technical services staff came to fix electricity. One of the men asked if I could still use electricity while it was blank and when I said yes, he asked what more I wanted.”

Ward councillor Ongama Adonisi said there was a high demand for electricity in Newvale. “What is needed to curb electricity problems here is new electricity boards. That would also help eliminate illegal connections.”

EMLM spokesman Gcobani Msindwana said the authority had advertised for the refurbishment of Medium Voltage and Low Voltage network in Newvale -Mlungisi Phase 3 in October last year but this had to be put on hold due to budget issues.

He said ward councillors had pleaded with the community to allow teams to check the exact cause of the problems which were believed to be illegal connections but that residents had pelted workers with stones.

This resulted in a dangerous situation but the municipality would continue to try to find solutions.