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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini has written to the Acting Head of Electricity, Mr Veer Ramnarian , to request a full and transparent explanation for the cause of a week-long outage in parts of eThekwini and to set out a clear and actionable plan for restoring power.

We have also demanded that the municipality commit to a comprehensive relief strategy for affected residents, schools, and businesses.

It has been almost a week since parts of Ward 23 and surrounding areas have been in darkness, leaving residents, schools, and small businesses facing the consequences. The prolonged power outage is not just an inconvenience—it is a crisis that highlights the ongoing mismanagement and lack of accountability within the ANC-IFP-EFF run eThekwini Municipality.
Homes, schools, and businesses in our area are suffering, and the municipality’s silence in the face of this disaster is nothing short of neglect.

The statement issued by the eThekwini Municipality regarding this outage on Monday, was delayed but grossly insufficient. It also lacked critical information on the cause of the outage, the steps being taken to restore power, and an actual timeline for when residents can expect a resolution. This kind of vague, non-committal response is unacceptable. We demand transparency.

Small businesses, many already struggling due to the ongoing economic difficulties, are being hit hard. They have been forced to bear the burden of expensive generators, some unable to keep their doors open because of the costs. This is not just an economic issue; it’s a matter of survival for many in our communities. Without clear action from the municipality, these businesses could close their doors for good.

Our schools are not immune to the effects of this outage either. Teachers are forced to deliver lessons in classrooms with no power, creating an unsafe and unproductive learning environment for students. These children deserve better than a constant struggle to learn in conditions that are neither conducive nor acceptable.

It is clear that ANC-IFP-EFF sponsored budget does not serve the real needs of the people. Residents are being asked to pay higher tariffs for so-called "improved service delivery" when, in fact, basic services such as electricity are not being provided consistently. This is not service delivery. This is systemic neglect that needs to be addressed immediately.

The people of eThekwini are not asking for miracles. They are asking for a government that respects their dignity and delivers the services they need and deserve. The DA stands with the people of eThekwini and will continue to demand accountability from the municipality until this issue is resolved.

Issued by Councillor Alicia Kissoon - DA eThekwini Councillor