EKURHULENI experienced over 2 000 unplanned power interruptions during the 2013/2014 financial year.
Fifty per cent of these were underground cable faults.
Therefore, according to the DA, it is urgent that the metro prioritised the maintenance of existing infrastructure to avoid a complete collapse of both the electricity and water systems.
Answers to questions posed by the DA paint a dismal picture of existing infrastructure and its maintenance, Clr Bruna Haipel said.
“Each of the power outages has to be identified and investigated individually and the DA has requested that the energy department provides the oversight committee with a comprehensive breakdown of the problems, including what actions were taken to resolve the power failures.
“It is important to have this information in order to prevent further similar problems. It is clear to the DA that the metro is not budgeting sufficiently for maintenance and the upgrading of outdated infrastructure,” Haipel said.
“Challenges facing the energy department could be easily rectified if proper steps are taken, namely adequate budget for upgrades and maintenance, proper cooperation with the metro police to prevent theft of equipment and cables, and the prevention of illegal connections which not only cost the metro over R250 million a year but also put unnecessary stress on the system, causing more faults and shortening the life of equipment.
“In the water department delays are caused by bad planning. The Vosloorus and Pomona new eastern outfall sewer tenders and the Elsburg Koppies contract were not awarded in the past financial year. Delays of this nature on huge projects such as these have far reaching consequences for residents and simply cannot be allowed to continue.”
