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Dozens of villages left without electricity supply
- The blackout has lasted for at least nine days
- Free state municipality assures of a quick resolution
At least a dozen villages in the Free state Municipality have been without electricity supply. The blackout has lasted for at least nine days, with villagers uncertain of when power will be restored. The youth of these villages took the streets in protest at the continued blackout. There is uncertainty when the blackout will end.
Responding to agitations by the youth, the Ramohloki Nari, Councillor for Ward 20, has said the power issues have gone on for at least a year. According to him, the Municipality is negotiating with Eskom on supplying electricity to the affected areas. “As we speak, we are in the process of approaching Eskom to take over [from Maluti-A-Pofung municipality] and supply us with power”, he said.
In a statement, the Municipal Manager, Futhuli Mothamaha, stated that the blackout was due to overloaded transformers and assured the residents that the Municipal management had begun works to fix the problem and restore electricity supply to the affected villages.