The whole Sonop community near Brits has been living without electricity for over two months and following repeated protests in Sonop over the past week, the Department of Public Works and Roads finally met with community members last week to discuss the electricity crisis.

The Sonop community approached the Madibeng mayor for assistance last week.

Sonop falls under the Department of Public Works and Roads and is responsible for service delivery in this area. The community has been trying to get the electricity supply in the area restored since December after first cables, and a generator were stolen. In December residents raised money to replace the stolen cables themselves. However, shortly after the electricity supply was resolved, the substation was vandalised and a generator stolen. Since then the community, which includes the Sonop Old Age Home, orphanage and schools, has been left in the dark.
In desperation, community members first approached the Madibeng mayor to communicate with the department, but then made the trip to the department’s head office in Mahikeng last week begging the department to urgently assist.
Following the meeting, the department said it was taking decisive steps to address the ongoing electricity crisis.
“In response to the community’s concerns and after a visit by representatives from Sonop to the Department’s Head Office in Mahikeng, the department has expedited the process to install a new transformer, ensuring that the community receives much-needed electricity as soon as possible. The management of the department understands the significant impact that the loss of electricity has had on the lives of the residents of Sonop and are working with relevant partners to ensure that the community is restored to full service. The community was urged to work together with the Department to intensify efforts to improve security around its infrastructure to prevent further incidents of vandalism and theft,” said spokesperson Wandi Tong.
“The Department appreciates the community’s patience and continued engagement in working together to find lasting solutions and its goal is not only to restore power but also to ensure the suitable and safe operation of essential infrastructure. The Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as the installation progresses.”