Persistent power outages in the Overstrand Municipality have escalated from a local issue to a matter of national parliamentary oversight as residents take their concerns to Parliament. More than 6 000 Overstrand residents have signed a petition raising concerns and complaints about the failures of Eskom infrastructure which has been handed over to parliament.
The petition calls for Eskom to proactively maintain and replace old infrastructure before failures occur. It also calls for an intervention to adress long-lasting power outages, repeated infrastructure failures and the absence of clear maintenance and a replacement plan for ageing electricity infrastructure.
The petition also demands transperency on the timeframe of improvement plans. This includes a comprehensive assessment of Eskom-owned infrastructure in the region, improved communication during outages and emergencies and a clear, time-bound plan for repairs and upgrades.
Mayoral Candidate Clinton Lerm
The petition, led by Overstrand Municipality MMC and Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate, Clinton Lerm, comes after a string of power failures and ageing infrastructure that has decreased service reliability and left residents suffering and caused “significant economic harm”, as stated in the petition.
The DA argues that the recent storms exposed the vulnerability of Eskom’s infrastructure and years of underinvestment and delayed maintenance.
“I had the opportunity to hand over the Overstrand residents’ petition […] to the National Minister and Deputy Minister at a sitting of the NCOP at Parliament,” said Lerm. “The petition represents the voices of more than 6 000 residents who have called for uregent intervention, increased maintenence, infrastructure investment and long-term solutions to the ongoing electricity supply challenges experienced in Eskom direct supply areas across the Overstrand.
“We therefore demand an urgent, comprehensive assessment of all Eskom infrastructure in the Overstrand area, and the public release of findings; a clear, detailed, and time-bound maintenance and infrastructure upgrade plan for the Overstrand, to be made publicly available; regular, proactive communication from Eskom to affected communities and the Overstrand Municipality regarding outages, repairs, and timelines; full accountability from Eskom for infrastructure failures, including a dedicated liaison and escalation channel for the Overstrand; urgent intervention by the Minister of Electricity and Energy to prioritise the Overstrand’s electricity infrastructure challenges and a formal meeting between senior Eskom representatives, the Minister’s office, and community stakeholders in the Overstrand.”
DA Constituency Head: Overstrand, Rikus Badenhorst, said that communities cannot keep suffering the consequences of under investment and deferred maintenance, even though local staff and Eskom technicians work tirelessly under difficult circumstances.
“The overwhelming support for this petition demonstrates the depth of frustration felt across the Overstrand,” he said, adding that the DA welcomes Deputy Minister Samantha Graham-Maré’s “willingness to engage on the challenges facing affected communities and her efforts to champion innovative solutions that allow municipalities and the private sector to assist with emergency restoration efforts during natural disasters.”
The issue will now enter a parliamentary process where the petition will be referred to the Select Committee on Petitions and Executive Undertakings once it has been formally tabled.
The committee will – should they see fit – request responses from Eskom, the Department of Electricity and Energy as well as other relevant authorities.
