Communities in crisis: Blinkpan, Koornfontein without power for 4 days

Due to a failed Eskom-operated transformer situated at Komati Power Station, Blinkpan and Koornfontein have been left without electricity since Sunday, November 3, leaving communities on the brink of chaos.

Eskom put out a statement declaring they were aware of the power outage and the installation of a new mobile substation will begin today.

“While we currently have no estimated time for restoration, Eskom will endeavour to expedite the work. We understand the inconvenience this causes to our customers and sincerely apologise. We appreciate their patience as we work to restore supply,” Eskom said.

Sources said that it will likely take seven days after the installation for power to be restored to Blinkpan, Koornfontein, and the surrounding farms, which must rely on generators to remain operational.

The new mobile substation was to be transported from eMalahleni to the Komati Power Station today, but this morning, a Middelburg Observer journalist was at the site and spoke to Stephan Grobler, a member of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), and DA Councillor Stefan Smith.

No Eskom officials were present, and nothing had been done at the scene to ensure the new mobile substation could replace the old substation.

• Grobler sent an update to the Middelburg Observer and shared that Eskom officials arrived at the site at 11:00, but said that there is no sign of the new substation.

Originally, the old substation was implemented as a temporary solution in February 2021, after residents experienced a 16-day power outage due to decaying infrastructure.

This temporary solution then persisted into a permanent problem, with Smith telling the Middelburg Observer that ‘it has been a regular occurrence for power in Blinkpan and Koornfontein to go out on Friday, and only be restored on Monday’.

Preventing anarchy

Grobler told the Middelburg Observer, “We are in crisis. The CPF have eight cars actively patrolling the streets at night because people are afraid.”

For the first two days without power, the Blinkpan Police Station was completely offline, leaving residents with no way to contact their local authorities in an emergency.

Grobler, Smith and the CPF have been instrumental in providing relief and protection during the outage, with patrols lasting all evening, usually from 19:00 to 06:00.

“The problem in Blinkpan and Koornfontein is that all the power lines run overhead, making it an easy target for criminals. If these cables are stolen or damaged, it won’t matter that Eskom fixes the issue at the substation, these areas will still be without power,” Grobler stated, “It is so dark at night in these areas that if I turn off my headlights, I wouldn’t be able to see my bonnet.”

A generator was deployed to the Blinkpan station on Monday afternoon (November 5), which allowed phone lines to regain functionality.

Grobler empathised the impact that the lack of electricity has on residents, especially those who require their life-saving medication such as insulin to remain refrigerated.

“I know of one couple who up and left when this started, simply because they had enough. Thankfully, we have gotten many people from Komati to help with the refrigeration of medicine and food. ”

If Eskom were to finish the installation of the new substation by Friday, it is presumed that power will be restored by the following Friday. Leaving the affected areas without power for 14 days, which will only further throw the communities in dismay.

At a community meeting last night, members of the public discussed the possibility of a strike, which Grobler and Smith both advised against.

“We are in an emergency situation. It is best for everyone to stay calm and united. But with every passing day, people become more restless, and the real possibility of riots grows.” Grobler said.

• Eskom did not respond to the Middelburg Observer’s questions before publication.

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