Ratepayers are demanding action over the continuous electricity blackouts affecting the North Coast.

Residents and businesses have experienced disruptive power outages since December 9. The Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra) has called for accountability and transparency from the KwaDukuza municipality’s (KDM) electricity unit.

“Despite decades of experience with the heightened seasonal demand on essential services, KDM appeared alarmingly unprepared for a failure of this magnitude,” said Docrra chairman Deon Viljoen.

“The outage, which affected only the southern grid, has exposed deficiencies in resource allocation and a glaring lack of contingency planning. These failures have amplified the economic and personal toll on a region already under seasonal strain.”

Viljoen said the issue goes beyond the inconvenience of prolonged power outages.

“Every resident and business has been affected, and it is imperative that KDM provides a verified account of this failure, along with concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future.”

The association wrote to mayor Ali Ngidi, municipal manager Nhlanhla Mdakane and executive director Sibosiso Jali, calling for an urgent inquiry over the electrical infrastructure failure and power outage management on the southern grid.

“We demand accountability and full transparency from the KDM Electricity Business Unit,” said Viljoen. “The crisis has raised numerous questions around the electrical business unit’s competence, technical preparedness, and capacity to manage this vitally important utility.”

With the power outages coming at the start of the school holidays, residents and business owners are angry.

Christine Grobler of Ballito Accommodation Letting said the power cuts are a major concern.

“It has certainly been disruptive for holidaymakers and have caused understandable frustration. While we have managed to mitigate the impact so far, this could become a significant challenge if it persists into the peak season. With guests paying peak rates, expectations for uninterrupted comfort are high.”

Grobler said bookings were at their highest in six years.

“Many of our properties are equipped with backup power systems that can handle short outages but will struggle with prolonged interruptions,” she said.

KDM spokesperson Sifiso Zulu said comment will be reserved until the mayor has responded to Docrra’s letter.

“The mayor will receive the report from the electrical engineering services business unit to get an understanding of the issues.

He will then be able to respond to Docrra.”

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