Winter has arrived with a harsh grip in Emfuleni Local Municipality, particularly in Vereeniging, where residents have faced an unprecedented power outage that has lasted for 10 days. As the days grow colder and darker, many families in this Gauteng region are enduring significant hardships, struggling to put food on the table while businesses are feeling the pinch of lost revenue.
With no electricity, daily life has been thrown into disarray, leaving people desperate for a solution. In the midst of these challenges, Emfuleni Municipality has placed the blame on the residents themselves, while the municipality has also made strides towards improving service delivery by signing a distribution agreement with Eskom.
A Dark Winter: 10 Days Without Power
For many, winter in Gauteng is already a difficult season. The chill in the air and shorter daylight hours make it a challenging time for families. However, for the residents of Vereeniging and surrounding areas, this winter has been particularly grim, with no electricity for ten long days. This prolonged power outage has caused immense frustration and discomfort, leaving homes and businesses without power to keep warm, cook food, or carry on with regular activities. Many households rely on electricity to heat their homes, cook, and keep food fresh. The lack of power has led to spoiled food, with residents having to discard perishables that they simply cannot afford to replace.
The Impact on Families:
For families living paycheck to paycheck, this blackout has caused severe disruptions. Cooking becomes nearly impossible without electricity, and even the most basic daily tasks are made harder. The financial strain on these households is now compounded by the cost of trying to cope with the power outage. Parents are struggling to find ways to feed their children, while elderly residents are particularly vulnerable to the cold without electricity to power heaters or electric blankets.
“The kids are hungry, and the food we had in the fridge has gone bad,” said one frustrated resident of Vereeniging. “We just don’t know how much longer we can last like this. It’s not just about the cold – it’s about survival.”
The Business Struggle:
Businesses in Vereeniging are also feeling the pressure from this prolonged power outage. Many small businesses, in particular, rely on electricity to operate. Restaurants, retail stores, and even small workshops have been forced to close temporarily or reduce their hours. This loss of business has led to financial difficulties, and many businesses are now struggling to stay afloat.
A local restaurant owner shared his concerns: “We’ve had to turn customers away because we can’t cook without power. We don’t know when this will end, and that uncertainty is a big worry for us.”
Related: Johannesburg 8-Hour Planned Power Outage for June 27, 2025: List of Affected Areas
The Municipality’s Response: Who is to Blame?
In response to the ongoing power outages, the Emfuleni Local Municipality has pointed the finger at the residents, blaming them for the situation. According to the municipality, residents’ failure to pay for electricity and other municipal services has contributed to the current crisis. This has raised questions about the management of resources and the level of service residents can expect from the local authority.
Emfuleni has faced ongoing issues with revenue collection, which has led to the municipality’s financial troubles. There have been reports of irregularities and inefficiencies in the management of public services, further contributing to the lack of reliable electricity supply. The municipality claims that the situation has worsened due to non-payment by some residents, with the local government struggling to maintain proper infrastructure.
“Residents need to take responsibility for their utility payments. We cannot continue to provide services if people are not paying for them,” said a representative of Emfuleni Municipality.
However, this statement has done little to appease the frustrated residents. Many are questioning why the municipality has not made sufficient efforts to ensure the continued supply of electricity. They argue that it is not fair to blame residents for a systemic problem that has been decades in the making.
Related: City Power Launches Free Basic Electricity Drive for Joburg Residents
A New Agreement with Eskom: A Glimmer of Hope?
In an attempt to resolve the ongoing electricity crisis, Emfuleni Local Municipality has signed a distribution agreement with Eskom, the national power supplier. This agreement aims to improve the management of electricity supply, including the installation of prepaid meters and better revenue collection mechanisms.
The agreement is seen as a necessary step in streamlining the delivery of electricity services in the area, which has long been plagued by issues of load shedding, unreliable power supply, and poor municipal management. Eskom’s involvement is expected to improve the situation by bringing in more professional oversight and expertise in energy distribution, as well as ensuring that the municipality can collect payments more efficiently.
While this agreement holds promise, it does not provide an immediate solution to the power outages currently being experienced in Vereeniging. For the time being, residents will have to wait for the full implementation of this agreement, which could take several months before it starts showing results.
Will This Agreement Make a Difference?
For now, the new distribution agreement with Eskom seems to be a positive step, but residents remain skeptical. Many wonder whether this deal will result in real improvements or if it will be another stopgap measure. There is also concern that the underlying issues of corruption, mismanagement, and the failure to collect revenue will continue to plague the area, even with Eskom’s involvement.
“I’ve heard all these promises before,” said another local resident. “But will they really fix the problem, or is it just another way for them to get our money?”
A Community Divided: Frustration and Uncertainty
As the residents of Vereeniging continue to endure life without power, the sense of frustration is palpable. Families are struggling to survive, businesses are suffering, and the promise of a solution feels distant. While the municipality blames the residents for the financial troubles, the residents argue that the government should take more responsibility for ensuring reliable service delivery.
The fact that there is no immediate fix has left many people questioning their future in the area. Some are even considering moving elsewhere in search of better services, while others are trying to make the best of a difficult situation.
The long-standing electricity issues in Emfuleni point to deeper problems in local governance and municipal management. For change to happen, there needs to be a collective effort, with both the municipality and residents working together to resolve these challenges.
In the meantime, the cold and dark winter continues, and the residents of Vereeniging are left hoping that their cries for help will finally be heard.
