Ongoing electricity supply issues affect parts of Mtubatuba

A section of Ward 7 in Mtubatuba has, since 26 May, been without electricity or help from Eskom.

One affected resident Thulani Ntuli, who approached the power utility, said the issue is not transformer-related.

Ntuli said he was told by Eskom that the power cable supplying the area needs to be changed and one has been requested.

The ZO previously reported that another section of the same ward went for months without electricity owing to a faulty transformer.

Residents eventually clubbed together and procured a new transformer.

“The area manager said a contractor should complete this job within the coming week,” said Ntuli.

Another resident, Zama Ntuli said the area of Nkombose, also in Mtubatuba, has experienced power outages of late.

Ward Councillor Mlungisi Mnyango said the affected part of Nkombose is Golima Village, with over 40 households impacted.

To address the issue, said Mnyango, the affected families have to make applications to Eskom for a new transformer, costing each household R10 000.

“The problem is they have one transformer and over 70 households rely on it for electricity. The other concern is that most people do not have money,” said Mnyango.

Eskom’s Joyce Zingoni said some of the villagers who have Eskom-issued reference numbers ‘have a definite route they follow’ within the stipulated 30 days.

“They need to log faults so Eskom can monitor using the reference number they will get, which they can do online,” said Zingoni.

Asked about the villagers, Zingoni referred the ZO to Eskom’s previous response to failed transformers at Ward 7 in Mtubatuba, which had failed due to overload caused by a high number of bypassed meters and illegal electricity connections.

The residents of the then affected section of Ward 7 were issued with tamper fines of R6 052.60 per tampered meter where it was found that electricity meters had been tampered with or bypassed.

Zingoni said at the time that Eskom had advised those residents that at least 75% of customers needed to pay an upfront payment of at least R3 000, with the balance payable in instalments.

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