The severe weather conditions experienced in the city have resulted in an increase in electricity service requests. This has prompted the authorities to mobilize their teams to work tirelessly to address the challenges.
Areas Affected
Heavy rain and strong winds have caused extensive damage to electricity infrastructure in several areas. As a result, power outages have occurred in Philippi, Mfuleni, Seawinds, Kosovo, Newlands, Vasco Estate, Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Waterkloof, Kenilworth, Parow, Kuils River, Oakdale, Fish Hoek, and Hout Bay.
Repair Work
In some areas, the damage resulting from the power outages is severe, leading to complex faults and intricate repair work. This makes it challenging for the authorities to provide residents with an estimated time for restoration.
Reporting Outages
Residents are urged to report outages through email and SMS using only one channel to prevent delays. Multiple requests should be avoided. Beverley van Reenen, Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, advises residents to use this approach to log complaints.
Trees and Vegetation
The encroachment of trees and vegetation on electricity infrastructure has also been a cause for concern. The City has assigned resources to trim trees and vegetation on its property to minimize the risk of outages. Property owners are advised to maintain trees and vegetation safely, particularly during stormy weather conditions.
Reporting Risks
Residents are encouraged to report cases involving trees on City property that may pose a risk to overhead power lines. They are urged to contact professionals for assistance with dangerous or challenging work. More information on this topic is available on the City’s official website.
Flooding and Blockages
During heavy downpours or continuous rainfall, flooding of roads can occur, but the stormwater infrastructure diverts large volumes of water away from the roads. However, blockages can persist, and residents are urged to report such cases.
Complaint Channels
Residents can log complaints about road infrastructure by calling the Transport Information Centre (TIC) or emailing transport.info@capetown.gov.za. In case of life-threatening emergencies, residents can dial 021 480 7700 from a cell phone or 107 from a landline.
For electricity service requests, multiple channels have been provided, including a call center, SMS, email, and e-Services. Residents should use only one channel and avoid logging the same request multiple times to prevent delays.
Water and sanitation service requests, including reporting blocked sewers, pump station failures, vandalism to sewage reticulation infrastructure, and sewage overflows, can be logged through channels such as WhatsApp, online submissions, email, SMS, phone calls, and visiting City walk-in centers. Residents should provide a street address and obtain a reference number while submitting their complaints.
The City’s electricity teams are working tirelessly to address the high volume of service requests due to adverse weather conditions. Residents are encouraged to report power outages, road infrastructure issues, and water and sanitation service requests through the appropriate channels while following the guidelines provided by the authorities.
