The Govan Mbeki Municipality in Secunda is blaming power problems on a high demand and supply reduction by Eskom. The power outages have resulted in violent protest in Embalenhle which saw massive destruction to property.
Residents took to the streets on Sunday looting several shops and setting a mall alight. And while calm has been restored in the area, businesses are counting their losses.
Mveli Mdluli’s furniture business is amongst those hardest hit. It was among the shops burnt by community members. His staff of eight are now facing grim prospects of losing their jobs.
Business owner, Mveli Mdluli says his equipment of R85 000 was destroyed and he doesn’t know what to do.
Other businesses are also counting their losses after the mall was set alight.
Some residents say if Eskom had listened to their cries, none of this would have happened.
But the municipality has blamed the outages on a higher demand and aging infrastructure. It has also pointed fingers at Eskom for reducing its supply.
Govan Mbeki Municipality owes the power utility over R500 million.
But Eskom has refuted claims that it reduced the municipality’s supply, insisting it’s only sticking to its initial contractual agreement with the municipality.
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