Lesufi stresses need to prioritise electricity provision in Gauteng

JOHANNESBURG – African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng co-convener Panyaza Lesufi has stressed the need to prioritise electricity provision. 

Lesufi was speaking at the party's provincial task team meeting, which was underway over the weekend in Johannesburg.

The party is meeting to address some of the party's challenges ahead of its provincial conference, as well as to prepare for its strategy for the upcoming local government elections. 

The ANC in Gauteng dropped to 36% in the 2024 general elections, with its structures in the province subsequently disbanded.

While highlighting some of the energy challenges facing Gauteng, Lesufi, who is also the premier of the province, said residents, especially those in informal settlements, need access to electricity.

“If we can’t manage the issue of energy and electricity in informal settlements, that’s the end of us. There are some areas with load reduction, areas with transformers stolen, there are areas where people haven’t had electricity for seven years. There is a place called Tswelopele next to Ivory Park, they dream of electricity...there are areas in the Vaal where they dream about electricity."
Lesufi said electricity systems would be repaired in the Evaton area, in the south of Johannesburg.

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"We have agreed with the Minister that the community of Evaton - we are going to start afresh with their electrical reticulation, it was destroyed and now we are coming to fix it so they can have access. We've also agreed to put a solar mast and also ensure all these electricity installations are protected. It's meaningless to remove and replace a transformer, and it will be stolen in two days' time, it's better to put the security networks that we have," added Lesufi.