Delmas erupts in protests for Eskom’s power outages

Delmas — Residents in Botleng took to the streets on 19 November 2025 after they had been without electricity for nearly a week.

The demonstration brought traffic to a standstill on the N12 Highway where both directions were forced into a single lane as well as the R42 Bronkhorstspruit road and numerous internal streets.

Police officers were deployed to manage traffic and monitor the situation as residents barricaded roads with stones and debris and burning tyres preventing further escalation.

Electricity supply was cut off on 13 November 2025 around 15:30 and restored only at midnight on Saturday. However, power failed again at approximately 15:30 on Monday, triggering widespread anger and confusion.

Residents say a lack of communication from the Victor Khanye Local Municipality regarding the cause of the outage, repair progress, or expected restoration timelines deepened frustrations.

The protest continued into the second day. Tensions escalated on 20 November 2025 when residents threw stones and debris at police officers, who responded by firing rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Confrontations flared up again along Mandela Drive.

Community frustrations deepen

Residents from Gomasakho, one of the worst-affected sections, expressed outrage over the prolonged electricity and water disruptions.

Daniel Mahlangu said, “Our problem is water and electricity. It’s three weeks without electricity, and the same with water. We get water at a church in town, about 2 km from home, using a wheelbarrow. As a community we complain, but our municipality is failing us. We do pay for water and electricity, but still they are failing us. I think it’s time they step down.”

Another resident, Thulani Masilela, said the situation had pushed the community to breaking point. “The challenges we have are affecting us, and our local government does not report anything. First it was water, and we took it lightly, but now they are provoking us as a community to take action. They are involving us in their politics, and it seems they only act when pushed.”

He added that incomplete roadworks have compounded frustrations. In Gomasakho they dug up all the streets for paving early this year, but they stopped everything. Now we’re heading to December and people can’t even access their homes with cars. I think the Victor Khanye Local Municipality must be put under administration until local elections. All the executives must step down.”

Bongani Mathabela also told the Highveld Chronicle that the electricity crisis had affected him academically as he failed to submit his assignment. Residents also raised concerns about the financial and household impact of the outages.

Prince Masondo said the prolonged lack of power had caused food in residents’ fridges to rot. “Everything is damaged. Some people were forced to braai everything before it gets damaged,” he said.

Mayor Buda meets protesters amid rising anger

Mayor Vusi Buda met with a group of angry residents near the protest area in an attempt to calm tensions. The informal gathering quickly became heated as community members demanded immediate answers regarding both the electricity outage and the worsening water crisis.

“We are all affected by the electricity,” Buda told the crowd. “But stop blocking roads, let’s avoid damaging our infrastructure. Eskom is on site to fix the issue, and we will ensure the work is done properly so that we do not face the same problems in future.”

His attempt to leave the scene was halted by residents who refused to allow him to go.

One protester shouted: “We cannot let you go. Eskom must come here and you better starve with us.”

Some residents acknowledged Eskom’s role in electricity supply, while others blamed the municipality for failing to communicate and provide leadership during the crisis.

Responding to enquiries from the Highveld Chronicle, Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said the latest outage was the result of criminal activity.

“We regret that the outage was caused by theft and vandalism at the substation supplying bulk electricity to the municipality. Sadly, this area has seen high levels of vandalism, but our teams are already on site replacing the damaged equipment and working hard to restore supply. We remain committed to protecting our infrastructure and serving the municipality and its community reliably.”

Electricity was eventually restored at around 22:00 on 20 November 2025, offering brief relief. However, after two days of unrest, several public areas remain littered with stones, debris and rubbish left behind from the demonstrations.