Frustrated business people from companies operating out of Alrode gathered outside of Substation Z2 in an attempt to obtain information about why, at the beginning of the working day on Monday, May 11, the power suddenly went out.
The anger is not a result of a new problem; power supply has been interrupted intermittently since April 24.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) has acknowledged the crisis and apologised to business owners but this is little comfort to companies which are losing revenue daily. Power was expected to be restored to the area by five o’clock on Friday, May 8, but was interrupted again over the weekend.
Business owners who have attempted to recover lost hours by having staff work during evenings and weekends have not been able to recoup losses as the power has been out during those times as well. Ten working days have passed since the beginning of the crisis with an estimated 100 businesses being affected.
Employees from different companies in the industrial area joined the protest. Staff members told the RECORD that they were angry because without power they are unable to work.
Alan Rutherford, from Coalmac Engineering, stated that any staff members who arrive for work are paid for the day even if the power goes out. Business owners expressed their sympathy for the plight of workers who pay for transport but cannot work because the power is out. Many managers pay their workers a fixed amount even when no work is done.
Jonathan David, managing director of Bandag Southern Africa, estimates that millions of Rand have been lost for their business due to the power crisis.
