Seven weeks of consistent electricity outages is forcing an immediate and overdue investigation into a failing power grid.

Civic bodies, the business community, councillors and the public are demanding answers on the crisis. The situation has again come to a head when communities from Chaka’s Rock to Shakaskraal experienced around 75 hours of unbroken blackouts last week.

Their frustration spilled over when Shaka’s Head residents closed the N2 and Chaka’s Rock bridge for five hours with burning tyres and foliage last Tuesday night.

The largest civic bodies across KwaDukuza, led by the Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra), have formally laid complaints with regulatory bodies. Both the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) and Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), acknowledge receipt of complaints and say they are in contact with KwaDukuza municipality (KDM).

Docrra has enlisted engineers familiar with municipal systems to analyse KDM’s electricity policies and regulations.

Meanwhile the wider business community is being represented by the iLembe Chamber of Commerce.

“Reports of lost trading revenue, missed opportunities, and growing uncertainty about the economic future/potential of our region, brought to the attention of the Chamber by members of our business community, is unprecedented and alarming” said Chamber CEO, Cobus Oelofse in a letter to KDM.

“The electricity crisis is a body blow for our community well-being, and the quality of life for all residents – both perceptions that shape the tourism reputation of the North Coast.”

The Chamber said several crucial steps had to be taken to ensure stability on the grid. They emphasised the need for regular maintenance and upgrades, while ensuring ring feeds and switchgears remained active. Both are designed to isolate faults so power outages do not spread, like in last week’s multiple-suburb blackout.

At a meeting between KDM leadership and the Chamber last week, it was agreed to establish an electrical task team, with business and civic stakeholder representation.

DA caucus leader and Ward 22 councillor Privi Makhan said her party had approached Cogta for help.

Electricity is expected to be a major topic of council’s annual lekgotla, now being held in the ‘Berg.

KDM originally attributed the power failures to weather issues, contractor damages and faults on Eskom’s infrastructure. However they have since stated that extra load over the festive season also played a role along with “an unprecedented heatwave.”

KDM communication and knowledge management officer, Sphelelo Ngobese said: “We recognise that our aging infrastructure requires attention, and we are working diligently to address this long-standing issue.”

Ngobese said they also plan to address departmental staffing shortages, where 41% of positions are vacant. Faults are currently fixed by a combination of department staff and a panel of contractors.

He reiterated that there was no evidence of sabotage of the grid, a claim being widely made on social media.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.