Metro wants answers from Eskom about prolonged power outages
The metro says it must be assumed that the national grid is in a perilous state.
The City of Ekurhuleni has written to Eskom seeking clarity on the many electricity outages unrelated to either allocated load-shedding schedules or municipal infrastructure faults.
This is according to a statement issued by the City of Ekurhuleni this morning (December 22) on behalf of MMC Brandon Pretorius, who has been designated as acting executive mayor.
Numerous areas across the city have experienced prolonged and irregular power outages, which have caused secondary damage to city infrastructure, including theft and vandalism.
The outages have also left residents vulnerable to criminal activity.
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“As the city is up to date with its payments to the power utility, and without an explanation from Eskom, it must be assumed that the national grid is in a perilous state. However, for political expediency, this cannot be communicated.
“It is the belief of this multiparty coalition that Eskom is implementing higher stages of load-shedding while claiming lower stages,” MMC Pretorius said.
“The MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy, councillor Senzi Sibeko, and officials in his office are in constant contact with Eskom to find a sustainable way forward as to what has become an untenable situation.
“I have also engaged the MMC for Community Safety, councillor Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, to ensure that EMPD patrols are increased to keep both residents and municipal infrastructure safe.
“On behalf of the city, I would like to extend my apologies to all residents for these sporadic outages. I want to assure you that we are working tirelessly to normalise the energy supply that is within our jurisdiction.”
