49 days without electricity after fatal storm

Mtubatuba residents who have been without power following October’s fatal storm can finally breathe a collective sigh of relief as Eskom has undertaken to restore electricity to the entire area.

Eskom’s delay in restoring power sparked complaints from residents from the Machibini area.

To-date, the Nkangala area remains in the dark.

Eskom media practitioner Lebo Tsholo said, “Eskom confirms that there were three transformer zones that were off in Nkangala area and some equipment was damaged.

“A contractor was appointed and has been busy working to restore power. Most of the work is complete and most of the area has been energised. Only Esiyembeni is still outstanding and should be completed [imminently].”

A resident, Thuli Zulu said the last time residents heard from Eskom was when they cut the electricity current to the power cables that fell during the storm.

“Forty-nine days later and still nothing. The cost of living has shot through the roof, we are refilling gas every second week because we rely solely on it now. We buy small portions of food because our fridges are not working. It is a lot,” said Zulu.

Electricity infrastructure in the area was damaged by the storm that hit the town and surrounds on 21 October, claiming at least five lives.

These community members feared they would spend Christmas in the dark.

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