Fury in Brits: Residents lock up mayor over stalled electricity project

Cape Town – More than 200 furious residents from Damonsville in Brits reportedly stormed and locked the Madibeng municipal building on Monday, forcing staff and senior officials to flee through the underground parking.

According to The Citizen, the protest erupted over a stalled R25 million electrification project for 300 households, which has seen no progress in four months.

The residents “demanded answers from councillors, including mayor Douglas Maimane,” the report said.

“We have waited too long for service delivery. They keep promising electricity, but nothing changes. Today, we want accountability,” it quoted the residents as saying.

The project has been marred by controversy after municipal manager Quiet Kgatla allegedly appointed a contractor without following proper tender procedures, the report said.

Same electrification tender

Kgatla, who claimed he acted under emergency conditions to restore electricity after earlier violent protests, was suspended with full pay pending an investigation into misconduct.

Despite the ANC’s provincial leadership endorsing his suspension, the local council, led by Maimane and Speaker Ditshego Mbezi, refused to implement it. The ongoing dispute has deepened tensions in the community, eroded public trust, and further delayed the long-promised electrification project.

The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has already launched a Section 106 investigation into allegations of corruption and maladministration within the municipality. The probe includes scrutiny of the same electrification tender at the centre of the residents’ anger.

As reported by IOL, the situation remained tense into the evening, with police monitoring the area to prevent further disruption. Mayor Maimane has since urged calm, saying the municipality is “committed to resolving the issue and ensuring residents receive electricity connections as soon as possible.”

The Madibeng Local Municipality has not yet released a detailed report on the project’s delays or escalating costs, but officials have promised an update once internal audits are complete.