{"id":298138,"date":"2026-06-18T12:35:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T10:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/?p=298138"},"modified":"2026-06-18T12:35:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T10:35:19","slug":"residents-demand-answers-over-prolonged-power-outage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/kougaexpress\/residents-demand-answers-over-prolonged-power-outage\/","title":{"rendered":"Residents demand answers over prolonged power outage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

COLDSTREAM <\/strong>– Residents of Die Rye, located in Coldstream near Tsitsikamma, have voiced growing frustration and concern over a prolonged electricity outage that has left the community without power since severe storms damaged the electrical infrastructure in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resident Sharonick Wogane said that electrical poles and power lines were damaged when trees fell onto the infrastructure during the storm.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said that weeks later, affected households were still waiting for electricity to be restored, with no clear indication of when repairs would be completed.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wogane further said that the community had repeatedly been given assurances from the Kou-Kamma Municipality that power would be restored, only for those commitments not to materialise.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Residents have been left without electricity for an extended period, with little communication and no clear indication of when the situation will be resolved,” said Wogane.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She alleged that on 21 May, former Kou-Kamma Municipality Mayor, Sam Vuso, visited the area and reportedly assured residents that repairs would be completed within three to five days.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Wogane said this promise was not fulfilled.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said that further frustration followed when an unsigned notice, which circulated on 5 June, indicated that work would commence on 9 June.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wogane said that they waited in good faith, but when the date arrived, a different explanation was provided, and no firm commitment was made regarding the restoration of electricity.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resident Andrew Pedro also raised concerns about what he described as a lack of meaningful engagement from authorities.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“No public meeting has been held, no official communication has been directed to affected households, and no clear recovery plan has been presented,” said Pedro.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further said that communication from the municipality had largely taken place through the Coldstream stakeholders’ committee via a community WhatsApp group rather than directly with affected households.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pedro alleged that when concerns were raised, some committee members responded in a rude, dismissive or arrogant manner, contributing to tensions within the community.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said that the prolonged outage had also had a significant impact on daily life, particularly for senior residents and those dependent on chronic medication that requires refrigeration or regular access to communication and healthcare services.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wogane said that families had struggled to preserve food, charge devices, maintain security and carry out normal daily activities.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said residents felt abandoned and unheard.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are not asking for special treatment; we are simply asking for honest communication, accountability, and the restoration of a basic service that is essential to our health, safety, and well-being,” said Wogane.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said that the ongoing situation affected rights protected by the Constitution, including the rights to human dignity, healthcare services and fair administrative action.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wogane also pointed to local government obligations to provide services sustainably and encourage community participation.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She further said that residents had shown patience throughout the ordeal but were becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The people of Die Rye have waited patiently for weeks. Our patience is running out, but our determination to have our voices heard remains strong,” said Wogane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical Director, Mziwamadoda Qalaba, said that the Kou-Kamma Municipality wishes to inform the Coldstream community that a contractor has been appointed to commence bush clearing, tree felling and electrical restoration operations in the affected area.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said that the purpose of this work is to create safe access for technical teams to repair the damage to electricity lines and infrastructure caused by recent adverse weather conditions.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The clearing process is a critical first step towards restoring electricity supply to affected communities. Once access has been secured, the electrical contractor will commence the repairs,” said Qalaba.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further said that the contractor would be working every day to restore power in the area.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The municipality sincerely thanks the Die Rye community for their patience and understanding,” said Qalaba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ<\/strong>: Flood devastation wipes out crops on Gamtoos Valley farm<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Die Rye residents near Tsitsikamma have been without power since May, as storm-damaged infrastructure and broken municipal promises fuel growing frustration. 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