Winburg economy crippled by constant power / water issues: Residents

Residents of Winburg in the Free State say that the constant power outages and water cuts have crippled the town’s economy.

They claim the on-going crisis occurs repeatedly, yet the Masilonyana Local Municipality remains silent and fails to communicate with the community.

Residents say they have suffered significant losses, including spoiled food and the added cost of buying water.

Some residents say frequent power cuts have also damaged their household electrical appliances. This is what they had to say.

“Now and then electricity is off. And then we are having this problem every month, during month end.”

“The municipality is not communicating any challenges, that they are coming across inregards to electricity and water. And this challenge doesn’t only affect us as Winburg residents. The whole Makeleketla as a whole, because if there’s no electricity in town, it means there’s no water in town. And this also affects the elders because every month, during this time, it is the time where we don’t get electricity. And they have to travel from Winburg to Theunissuen and in order for them to get their SASSA payment. So, this is very frustrating.”