After years of darkness and frustration, residents in parts of Evaton are finally seeing movement on the electricity front.

Eskom has started work to rehabilitate damaged electricity infrastructure in Evaton and Small Farms, including work involving transformers, following years of complaints about unreliable power.

DA Gauteng MPL and Emfuleni mayoral candidate Kingsol Chabalala says the progress follows years of pressure by his party and residents.

Chabalala said he started the “Give Emfuleni Its Power Back” petition in 2021 and submitted it to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in November that year.

He said during a 2023 petition hearing, the Gauteng Provincial Government, Emfuleni Municipality and Eskom undertook to replace broken and faulty transformers by May 2024.

But, according to Chabalala, the deadline came and went without the promised work being completed.

In September 2024, the DA marched to the Gauteng Provincial Government offices over the issue.

The party later returned to the NCOP in 2025, asking for intervention.

The NCOP subsequently conducted an oversight visit to Emfuleni in February 2026 to hear concerns about electricity infrastructure and ongoing outages.

Chabalala said Eskom has since started electrification work in Evaton, including the installation of new transformers.

“This represents progress, but we are not satisfied with the pace of implementation,” said Chabalala.

“Given how long residents have been without reliable electricity, the ANC-led administration still shows no real sense of urgency.”

The latest work comes as Evaton residents continue to battle damaged infrastructure, cable theft, illegal connections and vandalism, all of which have contributed to electricity supply problems.

Chabalala said reliable electricity was not only about keeping households lit but was also crucial for businesses and jobs.

“Reliable and affordable electricity directly drives job creation by powering business growth, while power shortages and high energy costs destroy existing jobs and halt hiring,” he said.

He said the DA’s 2026 manifesto proposes reinvesting electricity revenue into electrical infrastructure, maintaining electricity grids and allowing municipalities to buy and sell their own power.

Chabalala claimed the progress in Evaton was the result of sustained pressure from the DA and residents.

“Overall, the DA secured this victory with the support of Emfuleni residents, after years of persistent pressure, advocacy, and engagement with the relevant authorities,” he said.

For residents who have spent years battling unreliable electricity, the work now under way marks a move from promises to construction on the ground.