Unpredictable electricity and water failures in the central business district have forced local business owners to absorb hidden costs to stay open ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

Elections determine who manages essential basic services such as water, electricity, and local roads. Persistent local failures often force businesses to absorb the hidden costs of investing in alternative solutions including solar systems or boreholes.

Danie Riekert, who operates a CBD laundromat, said service delivery should be the top priority, particularly water and electricity.

“Electricity supply in the CBD is unpredictable,” Riekert said. “As a result, it puts us in a difficult situation because rates are already expensive, but we lose out on revenue because we cannot accept clients when there is no water.”

• Also read: Spot fake news before sharing 2026 election claims

CBD infrastructure crumbling

Anil Sewpersad, who runs a shoe repair shop, said crime and civic sense should be a priority, as businesses cannot operate when concerned about safety.

“The CBD is crumbling as we speak,” Sewpersad said. “Service delivery is no stranger, but I do think that we have to work hand in hand with police to ensure that we can operate in peace. There have been many instances where I had customers have their cars stolen or robbed.”

By-law enforcement urged

Another small business owner, AK Raut, who operates a haberdashery in the CBD, said by-laws should be enforced to ensure legal business owners do not make losses as a result of businesses that do not abide by them.

“There are a few businesses in the city that do not abide by the laws, which can be seen clearly with their dilapidated buildings,” Raut said.

“This invites a criminal element and vagrants who have no sense of respecting their environment.”