Close to 30 households in Vryheid East remain without electricity more than a year after AbaQulusi Local Municipality announced a broad electrification drive that was due to benefit a total of 967 households in Nseka, Tholithemba and Vryheid East.
Project promised in July 2025, Vryheid East still in the dark
The municipality announced the project in July 2025, with work scheduled to begin on 21 July 2025. Residents in Nseka and Tholithemba received connections, but those living in Vryheid East say they have yet to be connected.
Community members made representations to the municipality a few months ago and submitted a formal letter outlining their concerns, but residents report they have not received a response. The ongoing delay has caused frustration, especially as families had expected to be connected in time for the festive season.
“We were promised electricity. We need to know what is going on. Since we have lived in the area in the early 2000s, we have never had electricity. We wish to have lights as well, especially with the festive season approaching.”
Land access, funding and possible legal matters cited
Concerns raised by residents include difficulties obtaining permission to access land where the infrastructure work was to be carried out. Records available to the community indicated that written authorisation from the landowner was submitted on 4 August this year, but it was not clear whether this resolved the access issue.
On 30 September the ward councillor is reported to have told residents that funding was available for the project. Despite that assurance, residents said they still wanted clarity on whether the funds had been formally secured and allocated, why work has not been completed and when their homes would be connected.
There are also questions about reports of a possible court case affecting the project. The municipality has yet to provide a public explanation of the reasons for the delay in Vryheid East.
- What was promised: Electrification of 967 households across three areas.
- What happened: Nseka and Tholithemba connected; Vryheid East remains without power.
- Key dates: Project announced July 2025; scheduled start 21 July 2025; land authorisation submitted 4 August this year; councillor cited funding on 30 September.
| Area | Reported status |
|---|---|
| Nseka | Electrified |
| Tholithemba | Electrified |
| Vryheid East | Not connected (close to 30 households) |
For many households in Vryheid East, electricity is not only about lights; it is about safety, study time for learners, refrigeration for food and medication, and the dignity of basic services. Residents said they want the mayor or municipal speaker to visit the community and explain the delay in person.
The apparent mismatch between promises made to communities and the lived reality on the ground raises questions about municipal planning and communication. Residents say they continue to seek a firm timeline and formal confirmation that funds and land access issues have been resolved.
Attempts to reach AbaQulusi Local Municipality for a comment on why Vryheid East households remain without electricity, what the status of the land access authorisation is, whether funding has been allocated, and whether any legal action is affecting the project were unsuccessful at the time of publication. Residents said they will continue to press councillors and municipal officials for answers.
Until the municipality provides a clear update, nearly 30 households in Vryheid East remain in the dark about when they will finally receive the electricity they were promised more than a year ago.
