The usually bustling streets of Benoni’s CBD fell silent as businesses shuttered during a more than 100-hour power outage caused by attempted cable theft on January 24.

After criminals damaged the 32kVA aluminium cable between the Morehill and CBD substations, Mackenzie Park, Rynsoord, New Modder, Western Extension, the CBD, Northmead, Rynfield and surrounding areas were plunged into darkness at 01:22.

After extensive repairs, the line was brought online on January 27. Power was restored to the CBD at noon, followed by other affected areas. However, a fault caused the cable to trip just after 18:00, resulting in another area-wide outage.

The Benoni City Times spoke to small business owners about the outage’s impact.

Quinton Naidoo, who owns the Manhattan Dry Cleaners on Cranbourne Avenue, said the issue had negatively affected his month-end figures.

“The financial loss is huge. We are waiting for a miracle. Effective municipal communication would have helped ease frustrations,” he said.

The owner of Signs Malistas, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had lost over R150 000 in revenue.

“We cannot honour commitments to do vehicle branding because our operations rely on electricity. Not all small businesses can afford back-up generation, and we cannot absorb losses of this extent.”

The Executive Barber Shop staff said Sunday is usually the busiest day in the hair care industry.

“Instead of servicing customers, we are sitting in the dark, losing valuable business. I realise many residents are also suffering, but small businesses cannot survive like this,” said a stylist.

At 10:50, a message from Clr Lornette Joseph on Ward 27 community WhatsApp groups confirmed that CoE electricity teams had identified the location of the cable fault, and excavations were underway.

“Once exposed, the repairs will be done. No estimated time of restoration was given at this stage,” she said.

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