A picture showing the logo for the National Energy Regulator of South Africa Ratepayers on the KZN North Coast have written to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) over persistent power outages. File Picture: Independent Newspapers Archives
Ratepayers in the KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM) have called on the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to intervene in the ongoing power crisis that has left thousands of homes and businesses without electricity for hours at a time.
The ratepayers, under the umbrella body of the Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra), wrote to Nersa asking it to consider auditing the municipality’s infrastructure to establish the cause of the persistent outages.
The letter was sent to the regulator on January 10 after the power crisis began in December.
In the letter, the ratepayers said the power outages had been costly and intolerable.
“Together, we represent more than 40 000 households in the KwaDukuza Municipality. The southern grid of the KwaDukuza licensed reticulation area is experiencing an unprecedented electricity crisis which began in earnest in the second week of December 2024.
“These outages are nearly a daily occurrence, and many last for more than 72 consecutive hours,” the letter said. This had impacted residents and businesses during the festive season.
“For many years, we have lamented shortcomings in maintenance, planning, and a failure to fill key vacancies with competent and motivated individuals. The current maintenance spend is sitting at half of the Nersa-recommended 6%, and in most years, KDM often fails to utilise this budget allocation. The present predicament lays plain these failures, which have clearly compounded over time.
“Our area is one of the fastest developing and most important economic nodes in the province, and with that, the demand on the grid is ever-increasing. Most businesses and new residential buildings have high-consumption air conditioning units, and many have battery back-up systems that draw an enormous amount of load.
“We are aware that KDM has been audited in 2009 and again in 2014, and we are convinced that the recommendations made at those points have not been followed,” it said.
The letter added that it was the ratepayers’ view that the municipality was not maintaining and upgrading its infrastructure in accordance with the specifications of its licence.
“We therefore urgently request your intervention to resolve this crisis and establish the facts that have led us to this point, performing another audit should that be necessary. Our special subcommittee on electricity would also welcome the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss the problem and potential solutions.
“We urge you to address these issues comprehensively and share your action plan to prevent future disruptions,” it said.
In the letter to the mayor, Muzi Ngidi, the organisation said: “The Dolphin Coast community relies heavily on your department’s competence to ensure an uninterrupted power supply essential for our livelihoods and economic stability. The apparent lack of technical skills, resources and a strategic approach to infrastructure management is a matter of grave concern.”
DA councillor Privi Makhan said the party would write to the KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, calling for his intervention.
Makhan said the DA supported the move undertaken by the residents association to approach Nersa.
KwaDukuza municipal spokesperson Sifiso Zulu said the municipality was aware of the association’s intention to approach Nersa.
“Power failures have happened either because of problems with the municipality’s network or faults in Eskom lines, which inadvertently affect the municipality’s supply to customers. At times, when contractors contracted to other organisations carry out their operations, they mistakenly damage the municipality’s cables, thereby causing power outages.”
He said updates about power failures had been provided to customers through their ward councillors and other platforms.
He said the mayor had led delegations that have met the Zimbali Estate Management and the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce.
“These meetings were convened at the request of the two organisations. At these meetings, the problems were explained and a way forward was agreed upon. The accusation that the municipality has failed to explain the problem is unfounded.”
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