Information recorded by Kempton Park residents indicates that the city has experienced 263 power outages over the last six months, leaving residents without power for a total of nearly 70 days.
These power outages have a severe impact on households and businesses.
Many households and businesses do not have the financial capacity to acquire alternative power sources. Such businesses are, consequently, forced to close their doors during outages.
Detailed statistics recorded by the community and shared on social media clearly indicate the severity of the situation affecting several neighbourhoods:
• OR Tambo Airport: 12 outages averaging 6 hours
• Allen Grove: 10 outages averaging 7 hours
• Aston Manor: 14 outages averaging 5 hours
• Birch Acres: 15 outages averaging 8 hours
• Birchleigh: 15 outages averaging 8 hours
• Bonaero Park: 13 outages averaging 7 hours
• CBD: 8 outages averaging 9 hours
• Cresslawn: 11 outages averaging 6 hours
• Croydon: 9 outages averaging 7 hours
• Edleen: 10 outages averaging 6 hours
• Ester Park: 12 outages averaging 6 hours
• Glen Erasmia: 13 outages averaging 5 hours
• Glen Marais: 11 outages averaging 7 hours
• Kelvin Estate: 10 outages averaging 8 hours
• Kempton Extension 1, 2, 3 and 4: 14 outages averaging 5 hours
• Kempton Park West: 12 outages averaging 6 hours
• Nimrod Park: 11 outages averaging 7 hours
• Norkem Park: 10 outages averaging 7 hours
• Pomona: 12 outages averaging 6 hours
• Rhodesfield: 8 outages averaging 9 hours
• Spartan: 9 outages averaging 8 hours
• Terenure: 13 outages averaging 7 hours
• Van Riebeeck Park: 10 outages averaging 6 hours
These power outages are mainly caused by outdated infrastructure older than 77 years.
The Ekurhuleni Metro has done very little under ANC rule to upgrade the power network and the root of the power problem lies there.
The FF Plus has already asked the Metro to come up with an action plan stipulating how the problems with the 66 kV network will be addressed, and when medium- and low-voltage cables in residential and business areas will be replaced.
The matter has also been escalated to the FF Plus’s representatives in the Gauteng Legislature to be taken up with the relevant MECs.
Kempton Park residents deserve a reliable power network and the Ekurhuleni Metro should prioritise the matter.
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