Latest news with #VFPlus
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
MILLIONS in power assets lie idle amid continuing energy crisis
While residents of Ekurhuleni endure near-daily power outages, more than R500 million worth of critical electricity infrastructure has been sitting unused in municipal warehouses for nearly a decade. An inventory report from the Department of Energy revealed that prepaid electricity meters, transformers, breakers, switches, and high-voltage cables, valued at approximately R512 million, have gathered dust since 2015. This equipment could be deployed immediately to address urgent repairs and upgrades across the Metro. Also read: Kempton Park resident in trouble after tenant tampers with electricity meter Despite these findings, the Department continues to cite equipment and labour shortages as the reason for delayed repairs, an explanation that is now under intense scrutiny. Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) councillor Denise Janse van Rensburg has raised the alarm, saying the situation reflects severe mismanagement within the Metro's energy services. 'Residents are suffering while life-saving infrastructure rots in warehouses,' said Janse van Rensburg. 'The excuses have run dry. There needs to be full transparency and urgent intervention.' The VF Plus has repeatedly challenged the Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Mzayifani Ngwenya, over the backlog in service delivery and the apparent contradiction in the Department's justifications. Also read: Terenure resident faces electricity woes Ngwenya has maintained that the inventory is being managed according to service delivery needs and denied any overspending in its procurement. However, concerns are mounting that much of the unused equipment may already be obsolete or damaged, representing a looming financial loss for the City. In response, the VF Plus has called for a full, independent investigation into the management of power inventory since 2015 and a comprehensive audit of all electricity-related equipment procured and stored. The party has also requested a detailed action plan to ensure proper supply, circulation, and installation. Also read: Water and electricity supply in Kempton Park gets worse 'The Department of Energy underpins the economic and social well-being of Ekurhuleni,' Janse van Rensburg added. 'This level of mismanagement is unacceptable. The community deserves transparency and decisive action.' The Kempton Express requested comment from the City of Ekurhuleni by close of business on May 8. At the time of publication on May 9, no comment had been received from the City of Ekurhuleni. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Freedom Front Plus defends Orania amid EFF's calls for review
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) launched a staunch rebuttal against the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) following the party's major protest against the existence of Orania, a 'whites only' town in the Northern Cape. On Tuesday, a significant contingent of EFF supporters marched to the Premier's office in Kimberley, where they presented a memorandum demanding the review of Orania's status, asserting that its existence contradicts both the spirit and letter of the South African Constitution. However, VF Plus Member of Parliament Dr Wynand Boshoff countered these claims, describing the EFF's position to be unfounded. "Since its founding, the VF Plus has been advocating self-determination, as embodied by Orania, among others. Therefore, the party unequivocally rejects the EFF's demands. In a multi-ethnic country like South Africa, there is often a majority that pays lip service to recognising diversity but, in reality, denies it," Boshoff said. Dr Boshoff went on to argue that the EFF's approach not only undermines the diverse fabric of South Africa but also denies minorities the opportunity to foster and maintain a vibrant culture through various institutions. He further elaborated that the push for a single cultural narrative often forces minority groups into a corner, reducing their ability to express their identities fully.
