Some Evaton residents to boycott LGE due to electricity problem

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Evaton residents in Emfuleni Local Municipality continue to endure the harsh reality of living without electricity have threatened to boycott the upcoming local government elections.

According to reports, this comes eighteen months after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi committed to having power restored in this township by 24 March last year.

Margaret Moroke, 85-year-old, said the situation is so emotional especially when they have to relate their tale. Every winter we are vulnerable because of the cold, it’s as if its a joke, she lamented.

“We’ve tried many times to reach out to the ANC government to assist us because it is believed that its a better one [government] and would do for us (sic) and they are speaking correctly.

“I remember some time back we were assured of being assisted and would finally get electricity but I still could not believe it that it was a made-up story or what – electricity affect people.

“What is disheartening is that we are elderly people who need support from the government, if they cannot help us where will we go,” Moroke asked.

Her sentiments were echoed by a neighbour, who said he has children that are attending school and have to rely on candles at night for studying.

Adding that he has had no electricity for six years and counting, and further pleaded with the leadership to sort out their problem.

“It’s a long time now we have been struggling, out of the grant received as pensioners – we buy coal and wood to cook and we are unable to keep up as a result of the nature of the current economy.

“We are also struggling with access to water in fact we have nothing here in Evaton and I don’t think that I will vote because even if I do what will I be voting for, it’s all the same,” he expressed.

Speaking during a visit to the area on Wednesday, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Development, MPL Nico De Jager, condemned what he termed Lesufi’s failure to act on his promises and continued lies about the current situation.

The struggles faced by Evaton residents were evident during our oversight inspection. We demand urgent action to resolve this crisis, he said.

“During our direct engagement, community members shared their painful experiences of living without electricity, in some cases for over ten years without any government intervention.

“The elderly expressed their frustration, saying they cannot keep food fresh and use their fridges without electricity. They lamented being unable to sleep at night due to fear induced by frequent house break-ins, which resulted from inadequate lighting at night.

“Some residents expressed frustration about the costs of using paraffin and gas for cooking. The lack of electricity is also affecting businesses and learners who can’t study at night and compete for jobs when they don’t have access to electricity,” he explained.

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De Jager highlighted that these are real accounts from citizens of the province who are being denied access to a fundamental right despite Lesufi’s claims during the 2024 State of the Province Address that transformers had been delivered and electricity restored in Emfuleni as part of his Energy Crisis Response Plan.

He continued; “Not only are these true stories of Evaton residents that the DA has been raising through our councillors in Emfuleni and members in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, but they are also reflective of the petition submitted to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), whose recommendations are yet to be implemented by the Lesufi-led government.

Evaton needs transformers

“This is unacceptable; Lesufi and his executive must go to Emfuleni and see what their neglect is doing to our people. As a result of their neglect, Evaton needs transformers and cables as they have been stripped.”

De Jager said the DA is considering a motion for debate in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on the failure to electrify townships and urban areas that have endured years without electricity.

“We demand accountability for why Lesufi’s energy programme has flopped despite millions poured into it. A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would have resolved Evaton’s electricity crisis promptly, replacing or repairing transformers so no resident endures daily life without electricity,” he concluded.