STANDING COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS SUMMONS ESKOM OVER DELAYED ELECTRIFICATION OF MAKHUBUNG VILLAGE

On Tuesday, 07 July 2026, the North West Provincial Legislature Standing Committee on Legislative Review, Petitions and Implementation of Resolutions of the House, chaired by Hon. Tebogo Modise, summoned Eskom to account for the delayed electrification of Makhubung Village following a petition presented before the Committee on 1 July 2026 at the Signal Hill Community Hall in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.

During the engagement, the Committee received a presentation from Eskom’s Planning and Development representative, Ms Lesego Makwe, who explained that Eskom implements electrification projects in partnership with the Mafikeng Local Municipality and ward councillors in accordance with the Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and approved priority list.

Ms Makwe informed the Committee that Eskom electrified 125 housing units under the Makhubung Extension Phase 6 project during the 2018/19 financial year and also provided electricity infrastructure to Molopo Bricks. She further reported that during the 2022/23 financial year, Eskom implemented an electrification project in the Makhubung Riverside area, extending electricity infrastructure beyond the original project scope.

Ms Makwe further explained that budget reductions for the 2026/27 financial year resulted in several planned electrification projects being deferred, with Makhubung Phase 2 now scheduled for implementation during the 2027/28 financial year.
During the engagement, community member Ms Nonkululeko Leburu raised concerns that residents have waited approximately eight years for electricity and have repeatedly been assured that the project would be implemented in the following financial year. She also requested that the priority list be amended to specifically reflect “Makhubung Phase 2 – St John Section” to clearly identify the affected community.

In response, Ms Makwe advised that the Mafikeng Local Municipality is responsible for providing maps of the areas identified for electrification and determining whether amendments to the planned electrification areas can be accommodated.
Following the engagement, the Committee resolved to summon the Mafikeng Local Municipality to present its 2027/28 electrification plans, including all villages and communities identified for electricity infrastructure development. The Municipality will also be required to explain the criteria used to prioritise electrification projects, particularly where some communities continue to experience prolonged service delivery backlogs while others are prioritised.

Furthermore, the Municipality has been directed to submit:
• the priority list of electrification projects deferred to the 2027/28 financial year;
• maps identifying all areas earmarked for electrification; and
• a report detailing the extent of electricity infrastructure coverage in those areas.

Hon. Modise, emphasised that the Committee will ensure that petitions submitted by communities receive meaningful responses from government institutions and translate into tangible improvements in service delivery.

Ends

Issued on behalf of the Standing Committee on Legislative Review, Petitions and Implementation of Resolutions of the House – Hon. Tebogo Modise
To arrange interviews with the Chairperson, please contact Ms Namhla Luhabe on 079 527 6289.

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