Bad weather delays transformer

Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) administrator Vuyo Mlokoti has indicated that the transformer, which was expected to arrive from East London on Thursday, had been delayed due to bad weather conditions.

He was, however, confident that power would be restored to the affected areas in Westbourne, Robinson Road, Kings Park and Madeira Park on Friday as the municipality had sourced transformers from two separate institutions.

These areas have been without power since Tuesday last week.

EMLM spokesperson Fundile Feketshane said in an earlier statement on Tuesday that it would take two days to transport the transformer from the coastal city, and it was expected to arrive on Thursday.

Mlokoti indicated during a press briefing on Wednesday that an East London Industrial Zone (IDZ) transformer, via the Buffalo City Metro, or a transformer from the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality would be on loan to EMLM.

“The municipality is currently in a bad financial state. Buying a new transformer costs about R8m.”

Mlokoti said assistance from national Treasury arrived on Tuesday in the form of Zuko Mrwebi, who was one of the delegates deployed to help ailing municipalities.

Mrwebi had 18 months to help turn around the embattled municipality.

When asked whether businesses and individuals who had suffered financially as a result of the extended outage would be reimbursed by the municipality, Mlokoti said the municipality would not be able to do so as a result of its financial issues.

He said businesses were expected to have insurance for such incidents.

Early yesterday, in response to a query from The Rep, the municipality confirmed that the transformer was undergoing repairs in East London and would soon be on its way to Komani.

EMLM mayor Sisisi Tolashe said the 10-day (by today) power outage was the result of decaying electrical infrastructure which would require about R200m to be revamped.

“Our network system was initially maintained by a private company, but the municipality took a decision to take over the function as a means to save costs.”

She apologised to those affected by the power outage and said that communication would improve.