Cape Town - Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape is counting the costs after the popular coastal holiday town was plunged into darkness for three days when the main power line, which supplies the area with electricity, collapsed on Saturday.
Not only did many local businesses suffer major losses as they were forced to close their doors while the power was out, but a few pump stations also failed, resulting in raw sewage flooding the streets. Water could also not be pumped from boreholes, threatening the water supply.
The situation was made even worse when beaches were closed due to rip currents, leaving holidaymakers – who flock to the surfing mecca from around the country over the festive season – with nowhere to go and nothing to do.
The situation not only impacted business owners and residents but holidaymakers became fed up and many packed up and left earlier than planned.
“Jeffreys Bay is predominantly a holiday town and the festive season is our busiest time of the year, so the impact is severe,” said Kouga Business Forum spokesman Neels Visser.
Kouga municipal spokesman Laura-Leigh Randall said the electricity supply to Jeffreys Bay was interrupted at about 11am on Saturday and, due to a series of faults and issues, could only be fully restored on Tuesday.
A 9m-wide crossarm holding up the main incoming lines was damaged and brought the lines crashing down.
“Three lines had to be checked for damage and pulled back up before power could be restored,” Randall said.
“The rainy weather and location of the fault delayed repairs. The fault was offroad, between the Hankey and Humansdorp road and Mentorskraal at Jeffreys Bay. Repair vehicles, including a crane brought in from Uitenhage, became stuck in the mud.”
To prevent the system from overloading, a staggered approach had to be taken when the electricity was switched on, Randall added.
“Despite this, the power did overload in some areas and had to be switched on again. The main problem was Aston Bay and Paradise Beach where fuses on the lines blew after switch on. This was repaired overnight.”
On Monday the municipality had another setback when a line collapsed at the Melkhout substation near Humansdorp, which had to be repaired.
“Eight of the 27 sewerage pump stations in Jeffreys Bay were affected by the power outages, but all spills were cleaned and the affected areas disinfected on Monday.”
Visser said only the larger businesses with backup generators could operate during this time.
“Restaurants had to close, laundromats couldn’t wash. Most small businesses could not operate.
“Many retailers and restaurants suffered stock losses as food spoiled because they had no way of keeping the food cold.”
All of which has led to threats by some to dump their rotten food at the municipality’s front door, while others demand compensation for their losses.
“This ‘town of dreams’ has turned into a ‘town of nightmares’. It has become a dilapidated coastal town. I truly believe holidaymakers won’t return,” resident Muriel Steyn commented on the municipality’s Facebook page.
“With a town full of holiday visitors and family visiting, this is really disgusting. Maybe we ourselves made a wrong decision to invest here. Where is a plan B with a crisis on hand. It costs us a lot to run a generator to feed our guests,” said Malinda Lensing.
The situation also left a bad taste in the mouths of holidaymakers.
“This holidaymaker is considering packing up. The money I would have spent the next week will now be spent back in Johannesburg. What about next year? Well, I don’t know, maybe Cape Town? They seem to be run much better,” said Solly Bellingan.
Cape Argus