New transformer installed to alleviate power outages

This follows after residents of the Noodhulp and Roodepoort area were at their wits’ end with all the power outages since the beginning of the month.

The Bela-Bela municipality confirmed on Monday, 8 April that the area experienced a break in power supply due to a transformer malfunctioning. They did not put a time frame to alleviate the problem.

Residents shared their grievances on social media and were concerned that it could take up to two weeks to obtain and install a new transformer.

Several hospitality destinations in this area have indicated that they cannot operate a tourist destination if they do not have a constant electricity supply.

JeeDee Cloete, councilor of the Freedom Front Plus then contacted Escourt in town to accommodate residents with food that cannot withstand an interruption in the cold chain. Marinus Jordaan (manager of Estcourt) showed his and the company’s goodwill by freeing up some freezer space for residents to safeguard their perishables.

Water supply was also interrupted due to the lack of electricity. Residents on the small holdings and farms have boreholes but they are fitted with electric pumps. Hoërskool Warmbad made their facilities available and invited residents to come and fill their containers and tanks free of charge. Many residents in town reached out to the people staying in Noodhulp and Roodepoort.

Peter Moloto, communication manager of Bela-Bela municipality, explained that replacing the transformer last Saturday is a costly endeavor and not something readily available for immediate replacement. Additionally, a series of procedural measures must be followed to replace a transformer.

“Typically, it will take up to two weeks to obtain approval and proceed with replacing a transformer like the one we dealt with this weekend,” Moloto stated.

He praised the council’s unity and efforts in restoring power within five working days and commended the community for its patience and collaboration, highlighting the efficiency of collective action.

Regarding the cause of the transformer failure, Moloto indicated, “On-site technicians have ruled out external factors, suggesting that the transformer needs to be dismantled to identify the issue and assess whether repair is feasible.”

Moloto also expressed a newfound appreciation for the challenges faced by technicians and the demanding conditions they work under. He acknowledged ongoing issues with power outages and attributed them partly to aging infrastructure. Despite recognizing the financial constraints limiting immediate comprehensive solutions, Moloto affirmed the municipality’s commitment to addressing these challenges if resources allow it.

“Our goal, like that of all councillors, is to uphold Bela-Bela’s high standards and serve our community, and we will continue to work diligently to ensure that problems are promptly addressed.”

Die Pos spoke to Andries van der Heyde, DA councillor and he said:

“The financial department of the municipality did excellent work and managed to secure the procurement documents speedily. This was the key factor in obtaining a replacement transformer in record time. We must applaud them for their response to an outcry from ratepayers. The maintenance of all transformers must be done at regular intervals.”

Van der Heyde says if the maintenance on equipment and power lines is done proactively, we will not run the risk of losing an expensive transformer.

“There are however capacity problems within the technical department that must be addressed. The procurement process must adhere to very strict rules and this can be time-consuming in most cases. In my opinion, the ratepayers had to step in once again to alleviate the problem and with a better maintenance plan this could have been avoided. We trust that the technical department will take note that maintenance is vital to prolong equipment’s lifespan.”

Residents expressed their gratitude towards JeeDee Cloete, Vally de Souza (contractor), and technicians of the municipality and the contractor for working long hours to fit the new transformer. They paid a compliment to the municipal management for their speedy response to the problem. It was a record-breaking time of only five days to resolve the issue.

All power was restored on Saturday, 13 April in the afternoon.