THE eThekwini Municipality has said network faults, overloads and equipment failures contributed to protracted power outages in the Ward 103 area.

Residents from Polo Pony Lifestyle Estate, Aintree Lane, Engen Garage and Uzimzo farm had complained about the power outages, which places those who are on oxygen machines in precarious conditions.

The municipality’s spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said the Energy Management Directorate’s outage report identified several contributing factors affecting the region.

“These include network faults caused by nearby road construction activities, specifically the bridge works over the M13 and N3, which have disrupted underground electricity cabling. In addition, the region has experienced equipment failures and network overloads, which are a consequence of copper cable theft, occurrences that have also contributed to the frequent power outages experienced.

“To address these challenges, the directorate is in the process of commissioning new medium-voltage cabling. This initiative will help balance the electrical network and reduce the risk of network overloads, thereby improving the reliability of supply in this region,” said Sisilana.

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According to the residents, the power outages happened five times in April, twice in May, three times in June and twice in July, spanning eight to 11 hours without electricity.

The area’s PR councillor Mxolisi Khubisa said 51 elderly pensioners, the oldest aged 98, had said these power outages have had an adverse effect on them.

“What exacerbates their frustration is the frequency, unreasonableness, and simultaneous occurrence of these outages. The residents are imploring the municipality to provide timely information regarding these severe circumstances to prevent unforeseen events.

“Some residents require oxygen machines that necessitate power. They have limited time off the power due to inverters and back-up cylinders, but knowledge of the impending outages would enable them to advise their residents and plan accordingly.

“We will closely monitor community challenges arising from ageing infrastructure and ensure that the call for infrastructure rehabilitation becomes a city priority. The opportune moment for decisive action has arrived. Our community can no longer endure incompetence and sub-par service delivery from the city,” said Khubisa.

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