Stop Thaba Chweu municipality destroying Graskop

14/05/2026

Dear Graskop Community & Local Businesses,

Over the past 9 days, many residents in Boeredorp have been without electricity, and unfortunately some families have lost all of their perishable food. For some, replacing these essentials before the next SASSA pay day is simply not possible.

A few caring businesses and private individuals have come together to assist those in need, and we are reaching out to our community for support. We kindly ask for donations of:
• Non-perishable food items
• Basic household essentials
• Cash donations towards food assistance

A small committee will manage all donations and ensure that food parcels reach the affected Boeredorp residents who need them most.

This initiative is specifically for residents affected by the ongoing power outage in Boeredorp, which may continue for several more days.

If you are in need of assistance, or if you would like to donate, please contact one of the following numbers privately. All information will be treated with complete confidentiality.

Please send your name and address to one of the contacts below:

Terry: 083 793 4240
Carla: 076 637 6993
Ronel: 082 574 3587

Donations can also be dropped off at:
• Africa Silks
• Absolutely Devine
• Carla Gibson

PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS OR PERSONAL INFORMATION ON PUBLIC GROUPS.
Kindly contact us privately.

Every small act of kindness can make a meaningful difference to a family in need. Thank you, Graskop, for always showing the strength and compassion of community

10/05/2026

*OPEN LETTER TO TCLM LEADERSHIP*
*From: Lance Gibson – DA Ward 10 Branch Chairperson, Graskop*
*Date: 10 May 2026*

To:
*TCLM Technical Director*
*CC: MMC Finance*
*And to the residents of Graskop*

For 5 days now, residents and businesses in Boeredorp and parts of Church Street have been sitting in the dark after the storm of *Tuesday evening 5 May 2026, just after 23h00*.

That night, a violent storm with high-velocity winds and a heavy downpour hit Graskop. Many residents believe it was a tornado. It cut a path of destruction from *Eeufees Street in Boeredorp*, along Louis Trichardt and Richardson Street, up Oorwinning, President and Hugenote Streets, and out towards Driekop Sawmill. Trees were uprooted, electrical poles snapped, and a shop roof was torn off.

The result:
*Power outages in Boeredorp, parts of Louis Trichardt Avenue, Church Street, Oorwinning, President and Hugenote Streets.*

*What happened after:*

1. *Wednesday 6 May*: The Graskop Unit assessed the damage.
2. *Thursday 7 May*: TCLM brought in a contractor. Work started in Oorwinning and President Street.
3. *The Graskop Unit electrical team* did sterling work felling dangerous trees and helping residents clear debris from private property.

*Where the system failed:*

Communication between the Graskop Unit electrical team and the contractor broke down completely. A miscalculation was made on the number of replacement poles required, and from there, residents were fed misleading information.

Repairs continued uptown, but *Boeredorp and the Church Street block north of Louis Trichardt were ignored*.

The contractor told our PR Councillor their truck was 70km from Graskop fetching poles. It was actually 70km in the _other_ direction, still trying to source poles in Lydenburg.

As of *00h57 this morning, 10 May 2026*, residents of Boeredorp and Church Street have received *no update* on when power will be restored.

*The impact is real:*

Families and businesses have lost thousands of rands in perished food. Restaurants and guest houses have lost revenue as guests checked out. This is not just an inconvenience – it’s a financial blow people cannot absorb.

*Our demands on behalf of the community:*

1. *Declare this a disaster* for Boeredorp and the affected parts of Church Street.
2. *Compensate residents and businesses* for losses incurred due to the prolonged outage.
3. *Accountability and transparency*:
- Who made the decision to prioritize Oorwinning, President and Hugenote Streets over the vastly more affected areas of Boeredorp and Church Street?
- Was this prioritization influenced by the fact that high-ranking ANC officials reside at the top of President Street? Residents deserve a straight answer.
- If the Graskop electrical team and Technical Directorate made the assessment error, own it. If the contractor failed, hold them accountable and make them take responsibility.
4. *Public acknowledgement and apology* to the residents who have been left in the dark with no communication.
5. *Equip our unit teams properly* so they can carry out ongoing maintenance on all infrastructure. Proper maintenance limits damage when acts of God occur.

Residents deserve transparency, action, and respect. Silence, misinformation, and perceived political favouritism are unacceptable when people’s livelihoods are on the line.

I expect a formal response and a clear plan of action by *end of day today, 10 May 2026*.

I will continue to hold TCLM accountable until Boeredorp has power back and residents get the answers they deserve.

*Lance Gibson*
DA Ward 10 Branch Chairperson, Graskop
On behalf of the Graskop Ratepayers & Residents Association

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_Residents: Please share this post to ensure everyone has the facts. I will update this page as soon as TCLM responds._

21/04/2026

URGENT PUBLIC NOTICE: CALL FOR EQUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IN GRASKOP
​
​This post serves to address the escalating breakdown of public order and the concerning disparity in how bylaws are enforced within our town. Consistency and fairness are the foundations of a functional municipality, yet we are currently witnessing a dangerous "selective enforcement" culture.
​1. Livestock, Branding, and Animal Health Violations
​Under the Animal Identification Act (No. 6 of 2002) and the Animal Diseases Act (No. 35 of 1984), livestock ownership carries strict legal burdens that are currently being ignored:
• ​Mandatory Branding: All cattle must be marked with a registered identification brand. Unbranded cattle are a direct violation of national law and facilitate stock theft and lack of accountability.
• ​Compulsory Vaccinations: Owners are legally required to vaccinate cattle against controlled diseases such as Anthrax and Brucellosis. Failure to do so endangers the entire agricultural sector and public health.
• ​Roaming Livestock: Cattle, pigs, goats, poultry, and stray dogs/cats are roaming the streets of Graskop unchecked. This is a violation of local Pound Bylaws and creates a significant public nuisance and health hazard.
​2. Public Safety and Traffic Chaos
​Every afternoon between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM, a critical safety failure occurs regarding school transport:
• ​Unregulated Pickups: Taxis and school buses frequently stop in the middle of active streets at non-designated points to collect children.
• ​Intersections Blocked: School children have taken to lining up school bags in the middle of intersections to form queues, completely obstructing traffic.
• ​Administrative Omission: Despite the extreme danger to these children and the inconvenience to residents, traffic authorities are consistently absent, failing in their duty to manage road safety.
​3. The Legal Issue: Selective Enforcement (PAJA 2000)
​The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) of 2000 mandates that all administrative actions must be lawful, reasonable, and procedurally fair.
​We note with concern that while the Municipality is rigorously targeting individuals for zonal and land-use infractions, it is simultaneously ignoring the blatant violations mentioned above. Section 6 of PAJA prohibits:
• ​Arbitrariness: Enforcing one set of rules while ignoring others.
• ​Bias: Targeting specific residents while allowing high-risk public safety violations to continue without consequence.
​4. Demand for Accountability
​The law cannot be used as a tool for some while being ignored for others. We call upon the Thaba Chweu Municipality, Traffic Department, and the SAPS Stock Theft Unit to fulfill their statutory duties.
​Graskop deserves an environment where public safety, animal health, and traffic laws are upheld with the same vigor as zoning regulations. The law must be applied equally to all, without fear, favor, or prejudice.
​

21/01/2026

"URGENT: Water and Electricity Crisis in Graskop

Dear Community,

We have received numerous complaints from residents and guest lodges regarding the ongoing water supply issues in Graskop. This has led to tourists checking out of accommodation establishments, resulting in significant business losses.

Furthermore, the recent loss of electrical power in Main Street and sections of Glory Hills due to the damaged mini sub station and the unacceptable delay in replacement has severely impacted businesses in the affected areas.

As a result, we are warning Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM) and relevant authorities that if these issues are not resolved urgently, we may be forced to take legal action, including a class action lawsuit, to hold them accountable for the damages caused.

We urge all affected parties to document their losses and report them to us. We will be monitoring the situation closely and taking necessary steps to protect our community's interests.

"
Graskop Ratepayers and Residents Association

04/11/2025

Graskop, Mpumalanga

04/11/2025

08/09/2025

09/08/2025

Today, we celebrate the strength and resilience of women who are fighting for real change. The ones who aren't seeking validation or attention, but are driven by a genuine desire to make a difference.

To the women who are:

- Advocating for women's rights and equality in their communities
- Providing support and resources to marginalized women and girls
- Working tirelessly behind the scenes to create positive change

We see you. We appreciate you. We honour you.

Let's not forget the true meaning of Women's Day: to amplify the voices of those who need it most, and to work towards a more just and equitable world for all.

Here's to the women who are fighting the good fight, without expectation of reward or recognition. Your efforts are valued, your voices are heard, and your impact is felt."