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Poor Security and Maintenance Places Makhanda Residents in Danger

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Dear MyPE

The lack of security and maintenance at an Eskom substation in Wincanton Road, Makhanda is not only putting the lives of residents in danger, but is also impacting their pockets due to damage to property.

Today, 12 April 2019, I was joined by Frontier Constituency Leader, Jane Cowley, DA EC Premier Campaign Spokesperson for Basic Services, Kevin Mileham, and local Councillors in doing an oversight inspection at this substation.

The substation was recently vandalized and the earthing mechanism stolen.

This doubled the voltage and caused 440 volts of electricity to surge through houses connected to the substation. A consequence of this was extensive damage to property as electrical appliances in these homes blew up.

The earthing mechanism was replaced but because of the lack of security, it was stolen again and the substation vandalized.

Whenever the mechanism is stolen or the substation vandalized, residents are without electricity for days on end.

The substation is also not maintained. Most substation in the Makana Local Municipality are not maintained and this leads to further electricity issues.

The prospect of blackouts is again very real in South Africa. Maintaining substations is of critical importance to ensure these stations do not blow up when the electricity is switched on after blackouts.

The DA is committed to building One South Africa for All. Where all South Africans have access to a stable energy grid.

Regards

Natasha Mazzone
DA Team One South Africa Spokesperson for State Capture

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