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KZN Municipalities given a snapshot of future Eskom infrastructure expansion

MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs received a warm welcome from the community of Mbabazane. The MEC Dube visited as part of the constitution mandate that insures that the Mbabazane community become part of the decisions that involves their municipality. Dube was tasked by the Kwazulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize together with the other members of the KwaZulu-Natal cabinet to inspect service delivery in order to ensure that it is not affected by the ongoing problems in the area. The visit was also part of addressing the community about government interventions to rescue the municipality.The improved electricity , housing, road contruction and agricultural projects were visited.The community memberes were given a chance to share their concerns and to ask questions to the members of government.

KZN municipalities have been given a snapshot of future expansion of Eskom’s electricity infrastructure in the province up until 2024 during the Munimec forum convened by the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in Durban today. The electrification plan complements KZN’s progress in approaching universal access to electricity for its municipal residents.

“It is encouraging to see that the percentages of electrification per district hover well above 80% for KZN, with several districts above 90%. Electricity infrastructure rollout in KZN has been steady, allowing for improved connectivity throughout the province which is fast approaching universal access in many areas,” said KZN MEC for Cogta Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

With Eskom focusing on the municipalities with the lowest levels of electrification, KZN Cogta has requested the power utility to detail all projects that have been earmarked up until 2023/2024 with specific information about connection schedule, electrification infrastructure cost and sub-transmission expansion plan for individual municipal districts.

“As demand for electricity increases, it is reassuring that Eskom continues to plan well ahead for the new connections at the same time as it works to maintain all existing electricity infrastructure. For their part, municipalities are urged to work with Eskom, including in the payment of all outstanding debts which will only fast-track its expansion plans on the ground,” said Dube-Ncube.

In addition to Eskom’s future electricity infrastructure expansion, the Munimec meeting also addressed job creation through the expanded public works programme, title deed restoration, municipal ward delimitation ahead of the 2021 local government elections, the progress in the ongoing agrarian revolution programme and the status of water in the province.

“As Cogta, we pride ourselves on a close cooperation with all 54 municipalities in the province. This cooperation ensures that our municipalities continue to deliver quality services to their residents. Munimec is an important part of our support structure for KZN municipalities where pertinent issues relating to the sphere of local government are discussed robustly and openly,” said Dube-Ncube.

Ends.