The electricity problems experienced in Hermanus over the past few months have crippled residents of Onrus, Hawston, Vermont, and Fisherhaven. Not only has vandalism contributed to the issues, but so have outpacing infrastructure and population growth.

Today, Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning addressed the residents of the Overstrand regarding the growing electricity problem.

The meeting was attended by concerned residents and the mayoral candidate for the Overberg District Municipality, Dr Annelie Rabie. For Rabie, an efficient power supply for residents is of crucial importance and like in the past she will fight for the right of basic services for all residents in the Overberg.

“The Overstrand region’s population and economic growth in recent years has resulted in pressure on all basic services, including electricity. We are concerned that the region’s growth is outpacing Eskom’s infrastructure. A full audit of Eskom transformers and distribution infrastructure is needed to better understand the challenges that must be addressed by Eskom, local municipalities in the region, as well as the provincial and national government,” he said

During the meeting, concerns about the aged Hawston substation, theft of Eskom infrastructure and the monitoring of local scrap metal dealers, and the long lead times to get new connections activated were raised. Questions were also raised on the way Eskom billed customers based on estimates instead of actual readings.

“We will take these matters up at the Provincial Integrated Energy and Water Council where the provincial leadership can discuss it directly with Eskom’s management,” Minister