This has angered many local business owners who argued that their businesses are on the verge of collapse because of the ongoing power outages. Township fastfood businesses have reportedly taken serious knocks.

Nkosana Nobunga, co-owner of Emgcwembeni Food House, said their fridge is no longer working properly and as a result the food they sell goes off quickly.

“Load-shedding has affected us badly. Perishable food items such as Russians, chicken wings and ribs are all starting to rot and as a result we are forced to restock, which means we are now running at a great loss,” he said.

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“We will soon no longer be able to display the food we sell to our customers if this load-shedding continues. This means that we have to buy a new fridge and we are already feeling the strain financially. We are not making enough profit any longer because most of our customers support us after work when they do not feel like cooking. They rely on us for food, but we cannot provide it and that means we are losing money,” he continued.

Another worried local businessman, Smashing Mnisi of KaMajozi Lifestyle and Internet Café, said his business was closed for a whole day last Tuesday, during Eskom’s load-shedding stage 4, because their electricity pole had been damaged right after load-shedding.

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“Service delivery is poor in KaNyamazane, I lost a full day without making a cent because of electricity and my kind of business won’t survive without it. I did not even vote because I don’t see the need to. We are not benefiting from voting and you cannot waste your time when you do not benefit. Children keep themselves busy by coming and playing games in my internet cafe, but now they are wandering the streets because there’s no electricity. I am losing a lot because of loadshedding,” cried out Mnisi.

The community continues to live in fear as load-shedding started again on Wednesday November 17. It will end on Saturday November 20.