Recently you had an article regarding the problems over the holidays with electrical services from the KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM).

Most Dolphin Coast residents do not realise that these problems are not new and in fact have been going on for the last three years – although I will concede that they are getting worse by the day. The farming community between Stanger and Tongaat, especially Glendale area, have almost daily outages lasting from 4 to 8 hours, even after the four-day event affecting the Dolphin Coast. The Glendale Feeder and Shakaskraal Sub fail almost daily now.

The result of this is:

• Farm security fences are deactivated (sometimes through the night) compromising safety.

• Elderly residents who rely on oxygen assistance which require power have their lives compromised.

• Diesel generator costs have gone through the roof.

• Both household appliances as well as industrial machinery are damaged by single phasing and power surges when electricity is restored.

• Farm productivity almost comes to a standstill which obviously impacts the national economy.

Whenever there is an outage, it is reported to the KDM control room. Sometimes they issue a reference number, sometimes not. There is a phone number for the control room which is mostly unattended or they refuse to pick up the phone. On the rare occasions that one can talk to someone there, they give absolutely no information about the fault, where it is or how long the outage will be.

Many of the faults are due to old infrastructure, wind, rain and illegal connections. Notwithstanding, trees leaning over power lines are left for years until they fall – no forward planning here! Old equipment needs to be maintained and provision for replacement should be budgeted and actioned – no forward planning there too!

The bottom line is that nothing can be achieved unless done by people. Who are these very silent people employed by KDM electrical department? Are their contractors qualified? Are the senior management at KDM competent? What is the town council doing about the issue or do they even care?

Perhaps an alternative arrangement can be made – all residents that suffer appliance or machinery failures, loss of frozen foods, unnecessary diesel generator costs etc. should be reimbursed by KDM. Maybe that will get their attention!

Ed – Letter shortened.

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