It was a dark ‘weekend’ for Colita and some Forderville residents when they went without electricity for almost 50 hours.
The municipality’s electricity department reports that a 6 600-volt cable faulted and staff were seen at the site near the Forderville Hall, repairing the fault, for most of the weekend.
Most residents who called the Estcourt News on Monday said that without warning, the power went out on Friday at about 1pm.
“We thought it was load shedding at first,” said one resident.
This resident says that they were also kept in the dark about what was going on. “We got no information from the municipality. They could have made announcements on the loud speaker but no one told us anything. That was really unacceptable,” she added.
“All the stuff in our freezers are soft and soggy, the children had to drink the ice-cream. Who is liable for the losses we have incurred?” she asked.
These sentiments were echoed by another Colita resident who requested to remain anonymous.
“We got paid on Friday and bought groceries and now everything is messed up, what happens?”
She said that her ten-month-old baby’s health was also affected.
“My child has asthma and since there was no electricity, we could not use the nebuliser. We were going up and down for hot water for fresh bottle for feeds.”
Umtshezi Municipality Municipal Manager Nonhlanhla Njoko responded to the concerns raised by the residents.
She said that no compensation would be given to anyone, as the power outage was an unpredictable occurrence.
She added that staff and contractors worked tirelessly during the weekend to restore the electricity.
“Although electricity is very stable in Estcourt, residents should know and prepare for faults that can happen at anytime,” said Ms Njoko.
To assist affected residents through the long hours without electricity, the municipality purchased candles, provided gas stoves and cylinders and residents were advised to cook at the Colita Community Hall or at a home in the Two-Room Section.