Statement by Retief Odendaal MPL – DA NMB Mayoral Candidate:
Editor: Before it does give Straton Solar a call!
Nelson Mandela Bay is on the precipice of another electricity crisis, with more pylons across the metro at risk of imminent collapse while the ANC/EFF administration sits on its hands and does nothing.
Today, I was joined by DA NMB Spokesperson for Electricity and Energy, Cllr Ondela Kepe, and DA NMB Spokesperson for Infrastructure and Engineering, Cllr Dries van der Westhuizen, to conduct an oversight inspection at a crumbling pylon near Bushy Park, Gqeberha.
We found the tower’s lattice masts to be heavily corroded, extensively rusted, and in places no longer structurally connected. This condition clearly indicated an impending risk of collapse. Meanwhile, monopoles built eight years ago as part of a project to replace the failing electricity towers still stand unused, a stark monument to the ANC/EFF administration’s incompetence.
Our oversight inspection follows on the recent collapse of two pylons on the Chelsea/Arlington and Greenbushes/Bloemendal power lines which caused major and extended electricity outages across the city.
A report finalised on 10 September 2024 and tabled before the Electricity Standing Committee on 22 November 2024 clearly detailed severe maintenance failures on these power lines. The municipality knew the pylons were deteriorating and posed a serious risk to electricity supply yet chose to do nothing.
The DA NMB Caucus will now submit a motion to the Speaker demanding that Council resolves to:
- Immediately approve the necessary budget amendments to complete the electricity monopole project.
- Appoint an Executive Director: Electricity and Energy without delay, should a suitable candidate be available; failing which, the position must be advertised immediately.
- Request the secondment of an Eskom specialist through the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for a period of three months to oversee and stabilise the electricity planning function.
- Require the immediate submission of a fully costed turnaround plan for the electricity department.
- Urgently commission an Electrical Services Master Plan to inform preventative and rehabilitative repair and maintenance programmes.
The people of Nelson Mandela Bay deserve better than a failed mayor and unstable government, and that is only possible if all residents vote for a DA majority government in the 2026 local government election.
Together we can get Nelson Mandela Bay working again
