By Asemahle Vumsindo
Residents across Ward 4 report experiencing repeated high-voltage electricity surges that have damaged household appliances. Multiple residents say power instability has been ongoing for years, but recent surges have caused equipment failures.
One resident described the damage to their household: “We have had this issue for years. My main TV and washing machine broke on the same day, where the TV just went black without warning.” The resident said other appliances have also been affected: “Our fridge leaks ever since this problem started, and I’ve had to replace my eye-level oven as well. The geyser we have is new, but it is making all kinds of sounds because of water plus electricity issues combined.”
The resident said the problem started in 2022 and has impacted their home baking business: “I bake cakes in my spare time and have had so many losses due to cakes being baked halfway and electricity going out or voltage being too low to get anything done.”
Recent damage reported
Another resident reported damage over the past weekend: “It happened over the weekend, so we’re still establishing the damage and costs. Everything will have to be replaced.” The resident listed affected items: “My garage door motor and kettle popped from the power surge, as well as our complex gate motor and energiser for the electric fence.”
Several residents said security infrastructure, including fence energisers and gate motors, has also been damaged.
Residents point to infrastructure theft
Residents say they believe the problem intensified following the theft of a copper ground or earth wire from poles near Cory Circle. Multiple residents have questioned whether the stolen ground wire could be causing the high-voltage surges.
Municipality response
Grocott’s Mail submitted a media query to the Makana Municipality requesting information about the alleged stolen ground wire, any connection to the reported surges, replacement plans, and a timeframe for repairs.
The Municipality had not responded to these questions by publication time.
On 3 November, the Municipality issued a general public statement on storm damage and electricity restoration efforts. The statement indicated that some affected areas require excavations and recabling work. The statement did not address the specific incident of the alleged stolen ground wire or the reported high-voltage surges in Ward 4.
