GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, visited the Eastern Cape towns of Aberdeen and Graaff-Reinet last week to engage with residents on a range of electricity-related concerns.

The meetings, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed invitations from local councillors who raised several issues affecting residents. 

Among the concerns highlighted were faulty distribution boards, electrical switches that frequently trip, high electricity tariffs and recurring power interruptions.

Graham-Maré thanked community members for what she described as open and honest discussions about the challenges they face.

“There is often criticism that the national government is seen as being divorced from communities, but these engagements demonstrate how important it is for us to connect directly with residents and understand the realities they experience,” she said.

She added that the discussions provide valuable insight into the practical challenges faced by many communities across the country.

As part of efforts to address some of the problems raised, Graham-Marais said she would conduct oversight visits on Saturday 14 March, together with an official from Eskom, to homes where residents reported problems with distribution boards and switches that keep tripping.

“We are concerned about these faults, as they not only affect access to electricity but also raise serious safety concerns. 

It is important that we understand the issues fully so that the appropriate interventions can be implemented,” she said.

Graham-Maré also confirmed that she would be meeting with residents of Nieu-Bethesda on 19 March, encouraging community members to attend and participate in the discussions on local energy challenges.

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