QWAQWA – The community of Qwaqwa, particularly the rural wards of Maluti-a-Phofung, continues to endure daily electricity interruptions due to the stalled Elizabeth Ross Substation project.
Despite the mayor allocating R90 million to the project in last year’s municipal budget, work has not progressed, leaving residents frustrated and without reliable power.
A recent inspection revealed that community members employed on the project have not been paid for months. Many have since remained at home, unable to continue working without compensation.
Workers claim the contractor informed them he has not received payment from the municipality, which has brought the project to a standstill.
Local representatives of Qwaqwa have committed to urgently following up with the municipality to determine the reasons for the stalled payments and lack of progress.
Residents from adjacent areas have also expressed concern about large trenches dug during the initial construction stages that were left unattended, posing serious safety risks to children. The trenches were only closed after community members demanded action.
The matter will also be escalated to provincial members of the legislature to ensure accountability and transparency regarding the project’s future.
The community deserves answers and immediate action to restore confidence in a project that was meant to bring relief but has instead deepened hardship.
The Democratic Alliance in Maluti-a-Phofung has written to the Municipal Manager requesting an explanation for the stalled payments and lack of progress on the Elizabeth Ross Substation project, which began more than four years ago with the promise of alleviating chronic power outages.
The project’s delays highlight ongoing challenges with municipal service delivery and financial management in the region, as residents continue to suffer the consequences of unreliable electricity supply.
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