DA calls for suspension of load shedding in communities severely affected by floods as Eskom extends blackout until Friday

Zandile Gumede, eThekwini deputy mayor PG Mavundla, and Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka visited areas in eMawoti and Umdloti to assess the damage caused by heavy rains. Photo: KZN COGTA,

Zandile Gumede, eThekwini deputy mayor PG Mavundla, and Cogta MEC Sipho Hlomuka visited areas in eMawoti and Umdloti to assess the damage caused by heavy rains. Photo: KZN COGTA,

Published Apr 12, 2022

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Durban - With many families being displaced to community halls and welfare facilities after ravaging floods hit Durban and surrounding areas, the DA has asked the KZN government to make means available to avoid blackouts in these areas.

This comes after Eskom’s decision to implement stage 2 load shedding from 5pm on Tuesday until 5am on Friday.

The power utility had initially suspended load shedding at 5am on Tuesday, but due to a continued shortage of generation capacity, households will have to be left in the dark.

Eskom has warned that load shedding could be implemented throughout the week should the generation capacity deteriorate further.

“Eskom regrets to inform the public that the implementation of Stage 2 loadshedding will be extended to Wednesday night from 17:00 until 05:00 and at the same time on Thursday night. Loadshedding will then be suspended at 05:00 on Friday.

The extension of loadshedding is caused by the shortage of generation capacity and continued delays in returning to service four generating units at Camden Power Station and two generating units at Tutuka Power Station. Eskom teams are working hard to return as many of these units to service as possible.

Eskom would like to inform the public that any further deterioration in generation capacity may require further loadshedding, the statement said.

So far, 45 people have been reported dead since the beginning of the heavy rains in the province, and the DA is of the view that if Premier Sihle Zikalala and MEC for Corporate Government and Traditional Affairs Sipho Hlomuka are concerned by the recent devastation caused by the floods, lights will be kept on.

Rain in abundance fell over Durban yesterday. Independent reporters and photographers saw the damage to people’s lives first-hand yesterday. Members of the Fire Brigade are seen searching for a young man who was allegedly trapped under rubble in Durban. Many Durban residents had to evacuate their homes and others were trapped in their homes. Pictures: Theo Jeptha/ African News Agency(ANA)

Francois Rodgers, DA leader in the KZN Legislature, said Zikalala and Hlomuka had to use whatever means necessary to ensure that no one was left in the dark within the severely affected areas.

“KZN has taken a severe battering over the past few days, leading to loss of life and property. Given the circumstances, the provincial government has a duty to ensure that those who have been badly affected are not put through any further misery as a result of Eskom load shedding,” said Rogers.

“With clean-up operations now revealing the true extent of the damage, it is clear that parts of our province are dealing with a disaster. This is as major roads and bridges have washed away and homes have collapsed, leaving many destitute,” he said.

Rogers called on Zikalala and Hlomuka to intervene, as he said powers to keep the lights on rested with them.

“Load shedding is effected through municipalities, which means that both the premier and the MEC have the authority to ensure that the lights do not go out in hard-hit areas. This is non-negotiable,” he said.

Zubair Mohammed sadly looks at his car under water in his yard yesterday in Bonela, Durban. Many residents of the city had to evacuate homes, while others were trapped in their houses as roads were affected by washaways, mudslides and fallen trees, and several low-level bridges were destroyed. Pictures: Theo Jeptha/ African News Agency (ANA)

Meanwhile, on Tuesday Zikalala and Hlomuka visited families who had lost some of their members. Zikalala was accompanied by eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda to Georgedale, near Hammarsdale, where five members of one family died. Hlomuka, flanked by eThekwini deputy mayor Philani Mavundla and MPL Zandile Gumede, visited Umdloti and eMawoti areas in Durban to assess the damage.

The government has already started to provide necessities such as food and blankets to affected families.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE