After the town was left without power supply for a week, 5 -12 September 2022, repairs were done and power was restored briefly on Monday.

However, according to a statement from the Maluti-a-Phofung municipality, the Wilge Park side of the substation suffered damage about two hours after it was switched on again.

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On the municipality’s Facebook Page, Executive Mayor Gilbert Mokotso also apologised for the inconvenience caused: “When I visited the substation yesterday (Monday) afternoon, I left being hopeful that Harrismith would finally have electricity after so many days.

“Now to later receive news that a technical fault has caused new damage that is even worse really takes us back to square one,” Mokotso explained.

He added the municipality was working on resolving the issue.

“We are doing all we can to ensure the power is switched back on as soon as possible, as we fully understand the damage this is causing to our local economy, households, education, etc.”

DA ward councillor, Eleanor Quinta, has, meanwhile, further stated that the municipality is busy procuring the second contractor.

“Quotations will close at 13:00 (14 September 2022) whereafter a service provider will be appointed. No definite time frames are available at this stage. Note must be taken that the aim is to completely re build the substation with new equipment. The service provider will be monitored as to ensure value for money and high standards,” read the notice she send out.

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Meanwhile, the Maluti-a-Phofung municipality is continuing with arrangements to handover energy distribution to Eskom.

The municipality’s spokesperson Thabo Kessah indicated that a special council meeting, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 13 September 2022, regarding the matter, was postponed again until further notice.

This meeting that was initially scheduled for 8 September 2022 was postponed a day before the sitting, to Tuesday.

Eskom spokesperson Stefanie Jansen van Rensburg confirmed that the two parties are in a process to ensure that the agreement will be beneficial to everyone.

“Negotiations between Eskom and the Maluti-a-Phofung municipality regarding the future of electricity distribution and revenue collection in the area continue. We remain hopeful that an agreement will be signed soon. The ideal outcome would be to reach an agreement that is to the benefit of all parties, including Eskom, the municipality and the community”.

OFM News previously reported that Eskom and the Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality are were expected to meet on Friday, 29 July 2022 to negotiate the take over the electricity distribution, its billing and maintenance in the municipality.

The electricity crisis in the municipality led to protestors demanding the mayor’s attention to their complaints, following years of electricity crises that seem to escalate.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi