Overstrand Municipality reports that the process to supply electricity to households in Marikana informal settlement in Zwelihle that started during the second week in May this year, is progressing well.
This need, said the municipality, was identified during 2022, after a number of transformers in the area had to be replaced due to overloading as a result of the myriad of illegal electrical connections.
The situation was further exacerbated by the tragic death of a toddler who was electrocuted due to an illegal connection.
Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, then came to an agreement with the community to assist the municipality with the safeguarding of its infrastructure and promised that she would actively look for funding to start addressing the electricity backlog in the area.
This was done when funding became available after the adjustments budget in January 2023 for the electrification of the first of twelve blocks of 200 connections in Marikana.
The rest will be done as funding becomes available.
“Current indications are that funding will indeed be available in the new financial year as well as grant funding received which will free up additional funding sources,” said Rabie.
The Mayor expressed her satisfaction with the progress on the project to improve the living conditions of the poor.
