The City of Cape Town’s electricity teams remain on the ground, attending to approximately 4 800 outstanding service requests received since yesterday morning. The public is asked to take note that extraordinarily high call volumes will result in longer outages and the storm-damage to electrical equipment means restoration time will take long for certain outages.
This is as repair work to damaged infrastructure takes long as infrastructure must be replaced completely and it is not simply a matter of restoring power.
“Due to the enormous number of notifications, teams are prioritising work based on emergency considerations, this includes making downed power lines and cables, and infrastructure that is a danger to members of the public safe,” says a City spokesperson.
“Escalation of service requests are only being attended to as it pertains to public safety and we urge our community leaders and the public not to add additional strain to the workload for the teams on the ground while they continue to restore areas and attend to life-threatening matters.”
Working around the clock
According to Mayco member for energy Xanthea Limberg, all City electricity teams and contractors have been working around the clock responding to widespread electricity outages and repairing weather-related damage to infrastructure across the metro.
“As an added proactive measure, we have pulled all our resources to restoring power to affected communities, including the suspension of all planned maintenance work so our full focus remains on storm-related infrastructure damage and power restoration,” she says.
Widespread damage
“A number of areas have already been restored, with critical electricity infrastructure repaired while work continues in all areas. Teams are currently unable to carry out overhead aerial platform work due to high wind speeds and priority is being given to fallen and live wires. Delays may also occur due to safety concerns and high call volumes.
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“The severe weather over the past few hours and overnight has caused widespread damage and our teams continue to respond to service requests as quickly as possible. Residents are strongly advised to avoid proximity to exposed electrical infrastructure, such as downed wires. Please report these incidents to the City and our teams will attend to them as quickly and safely as possible.”
While many faults have already been resolved, additional outages may be reported today if strong winds and heavy downpours persist.
Limberg urges the public not to log multiple service requests for the same issue, as this creates duplication, increases administrative lead times, and further delays response time.
Areas affected
Logged electricity service requests are currently 1 200 in area East, 1 130 in area North, and 2 496 in area South.
Affected parts of areas include, but are not limited to Gugulethu, Weltevreden Valley, Philippi, Bergvliet, Steenberg, Southfield, Fish Hoek, Meadowridge, Heathfield, Plumstead, Ottery, Kenilworth, Wetton, Claremont, Constantia, Wynberg, Grassy Park, Lotus River, Portland, Langa, Lansdowne, Heideveld, Crawford, Sunlands, Rylands, Sybrand Park, Pinelands, Kensington, Maitland, Soneike, De Kuilen, Vredekloof, Brackenfell, Kenridge, Durbanville, Valmary Park, De La Haye, Chrismar, Strand, Helena Heights, Asanda, Richmond Estate, Rondebosch East, Welcome Estate, Mowbray, Milnerton, Observatory, Oakglen, Manenberg, Joe Slovo Park, Paarden Eiland, Somerset West, Highbury.
The City’s area outages list is updated as information is received from the electricity teams. If an area is not included, it does not mean teams are not aware of the matter. Residents in Eskom-supply areas are encouraged to contact Eskom directly regarding their electricity faults.
