ANC-led Coalition nowhere to be found as Bracken residents remain without power
by Cllr Malcolm Maifala-Masebe — DA Ward 38 Councillor in Ekurhuleni
Date: 04 February 2021
Release: Immediate
Type: Press Statement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni is appalled by the ANC-led Coalition’s inability to manage power supply in the Brackenhurst and Brackendowns areas.
The ANC — Coalition run Metro continues to fail the residents of Ward 38 as they had to face yet another power outage on Friday, the 29th of January and subsequent continuous power outages.
The outage occurred just a few hours after the ANC and its coalition partners presented the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) Council with an Item that directed that the City communicates with residents regarding service delivery interruptions via SMSes and social media.
However, the power went off in Ward 38 at around 23h00 on the evening of the 28th of January, yet the first communication from the CoE was at 14h43 in the afternoon. Almost fifteen hours without power and all residents were told is, “We are aware of the power outage in parts of Alberton due to a cable fault… No turnaround time” — CoE_Call_Centre Twitter.
Furthermore, residents did not receive SMSes to inform them regarding what is really happening with the power outage in the area. Indicating, once again, why the failing ANC as well as its coalition partners are more concerned with paying lip-service instead of real and tangible service delivery.
The DA shares the anger and frustration of the residents of Alberton, as they have had to endure extended power outages without any feedback or communication from the CoE. It is hard enough that they must endure constant power outages, but it is an utter disgrace that residents are not informed timeously and adequately. Why should residents be left to wonder? This is not the way to treat rate-paying citizens of this metro. Ekurhuleni residents deserve better!
The DA calls on the ANC-appointed Executive Mayor, Cllr. Mzwandile Masina, to stop the mere lip-service and start delivering actual service. Mayor Masina must prioritise meeting with Alberton residents and business owners as a matter of urgency to discuss the City’s plans and plot a way forward, honestly and transparently.
As the DA, we will not allow the ANC and its coalition partners to continue to undermine communities and play with their lives. We will continue to exert the necessary pressure on the failing ANC-led CoE to act speedily and ensure reliable electrical infrastructure is delivered, as they are mandated to do.
The residents of Ekurhuleni deserve so much better than the ANC-led Coalition government, it is time for Real Hope and Real Change, Now!
Media Enquiries
Cllr Malcolm Maifala-Masebe
DA Ward 38 Councillor in Ekurhuleni
