'We deserve answers': Kimberley residents fed up with constant power outages

KIMBERLEY residents are reaching the end of their tether as persistent and unexplained power outages continue to disrupt life across the city – from Riviera to Hadison Park, Beaconsfield, Klisserville, Memorial, and beyond.

While officials at Sol Plaatje Municipality point to vandalism, theft and ageing infrastructure as causes, residents are growing increasingly frustrated and suspicious, demanding transparency and swift solutions.

The DFA has been inundated with calls from concerned citizens who report that their power is off at least once a week, often for extended periods. In Riviera, for example, residents recently endured a five-hour outage, with no prior warning.

"Every week it’s the same story,” one Riviera resident told the DFA. “You come home from work, hoping to make dinner or help the kids with homework, and boom – the lights are off. 

“I was working the other morning, and at 9am the power went off; we were off for close to five hours. My Wi-Fi’s battery ran out, as well as my laptop. How are you supposed to work like that?”

Residents in Hadison Park, Beaconsfield, Klisserville, and the Memorial area have echoed similar frustrations, describing their experiences as “completely unacceptable” and questioning why the municipality seems slow to act or communicate. 

“How is it possible that a city this size is plunged into darkness week after week with no clarity or improvement in sight?” asked a resident from Hadison Park.

Adding weight to residents' concerns is the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nocci), which has also stepped in to raise the alarm. Nocci has formally approached the Sol Plaatje Municipality with several questions about the worsening electricity situation and its wide-ranging effects.

“The persistent and often sudden electricity disruptions have reached a critical point,” Nocci said in a statement. “The recurring power outages are having a devastating impact not only on businesses but also on the daily lives of residents. We are seriously concerned about the long-term damage this will do to Kimberley’s economy if not addressed with urgency.”

In response to questions from the DFA, the Sol Plaatje Municipality admitted that the recent spate of outages is largely due to vandalism and theft, specifically at the HA Morris sub-station. According to its official statement, the 66 kV protection panels were targeted, prompting urgent repairs and a reconfiguration of the entire 66 kV ring network in the municipality.

“The known factors of the recent outages are due to vandalism and theft that recently occurred on the 66 kV protection panels at HA Morris sub-station,” said municipal spokesperson Thabo Mothibi.

“Our technical team had to come up with all possible solutions to restore supply. This included changing configurations within the 66 kV ring network.”

He added that the municipality is “working on a proper plan to resolve all challenges for good” and that the executive mayor is currently leading engagements with key stakeholders such as SAPS to combat the sabotage. 

The financial impact of these criminal activities is staggering, with the municipality confirming losses amounting to R6 million in the current financial year alone.

Still, for many residents, these explanations ring hollow. They want more than just technical jargon and finger-pointing – they want results. 

"If theft is such a huge issue, then why hasn’t the municipality implemented better security months ago?" asked a resident. "And how are we supposed to plan our lives around this constant uncertainty?"

When asked about preventative measures, the municipality acknowledged that both unauthorised interference and ageing infrastructure were part of the problem. It outlined a series of steps, including a full audit of the 66 kV and 11 kV networks, securing key sub-stations 24/7, and conducting continuous maintenance and upgrades of the electrical grid.

“There is a plan to prevent such outages. The process has already started with a complete audit and round-the-clock security at our key sub-stations.”

The DFA also asked about whether any upgrades are currently under way. In its reply, the municipality confirmed that upgrades are in progress at the Carters Glen sub-station. The aim is to relieve some of the load currently placed on the Galeshewe sub-station and improve capacity for future development. Plans to upgrade the Hadison Park sub-station have not been abandoned either, with ongoing talks between the municipality and the Department of Electricity and Energy regarding funding.

While these efforts are welcomed, many residents say they are tired of promises. What they want is consistency - not electricity that disappears at the worst possible moment.

“As a community, we’re not asking for miracles,” a resident from Riviera said. “We’re asking for honesty, for better planning, and for leadership that doesn’t wait until the damage is done before taking action.”

The DFA will continue to engage with Sol Plaatje Municipality and monitor developments around the power crisis. Residents are encouraged to report outages and suspicious activity around electrical infrastructure to the municipality and local authorities.