New addition on load shedding schedule
Kibler Park now also included in load shedding miseries
Whether the power was out due to a scheduled City Power outage for routine maintenance, load shedding or as result of cable theft, neither residents nor City Power knew the cause.
On Sunday February 8, Kibler Park, for the first time since load shedding started, experienced this South African phenomenon, a power outage from 14:00 to 18:30.
Many residents took to social networks Facebook and Twitter to enquire what the cause was for the loss of power. CLR Representative Peter Stewart cleared up the confusion with news that Kibler Park would also now be affected by Eskom’s load shedding.
On February 6, resident Trevor Sturgess said on the Facebook Group, Kibler Park and Walkerville – South Africa: “Chatted to CLR Peter Stewart this morning. Kibler Park is fortunate in that it doesn’t get included in load shedding much due to the water supply from Eikenhof which must function. The blackout we had was due to cable theft. If you see suspicious activity, please make a big noise in the street and report it.”
Unfortunately for residents, this was quickly changed by the power utility, which later told Stewart that Kibler Park would no longer be excluded. The grids have now been divided by City Power and the Kibler Park grid has been separated from the Eikenhof grid that allows the water pump to function.
Kibler Park was also worst hit by blackouts, experiencing over 12 hours of no power on February 5 till the next day. Stewart confirmed the outage was due to cable theft in Moore Grove, Kibler Park, and at a substation in Eikenhof.
A Whatsapp message by Stewart on February 6 said: “Trying to establish the cause of power outages plaguing Kibler Park and Mayfield Park since last night. The City Power officials seem to be just as baffled and we awaiting their report. Please check all substations in your vicinity if you can see open doors.”
CLR Representative Stewart later confirmed to the CHRONICLE that the three main cables at the Eikenhof substation serving as a supply grid to the Kibler Park and Alveda Park areas were stolen. Also in Moore Grove, thieves were scared away by residents who spotted them cutting cables. The suspects escaped and left severed cable hanging in front of a gate of one of the homes.
City Power responded to reports and removed the dangling cable in Moore Grove. In Eikenhof, the cables stolen were replaced. A security company employed by City Power to protect the substation waited for daylight to locate the affected substation as they struggled to find it at night.
