DURBAN- PIETERMARITZBURG residents in the northern suburbs who have been without electricity for days could have their electricity back by this evening, if everything goes according to plan.
DA caucus leader Ross Strachan said the party has been engaging with municipal officials and technicians working on the primary station following storm damage at the station that supplies power to these suburbs.
The storm damage on Wednesday caused a fire that cut power supplies to the northern suburbs for the past five days.
“The officials told us the station is being repaired and they are now at the testing phase. They hope if all goes well, the power to the suburbs will be restored by 11pm last (Sunday) night.”
Ross said the power outage had been devastating for many residents.
“Residents have lost thousands in Christmas groceries as their fridges have defrosted.”
In a statement, Ross said water has now started to become an issue as the pump stations have no power.
“It is abundantly clear that the municipality led by the ANC once again has no capacity to deal with such a crisis and is failing to execute their mandate effectively and efficiently.
“The DA will continue to place pressure on the situation, ensure that the relevant provincial authorities intervene accordingly, and ensure those communities and businesses affected are rescued from this disaster.
The DA provincial spokesperson on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Martin Meyer said he has written to the Cogta MEC for his department’s immediate intervention.
Msunduzi mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla said they believed some of the areas will be restored by tonight.
THE MERCURY