Industrial operations severely hampered by ongoing unrest

Many industrial businesses in the uMhlathuze area have been left with no choice but to shut down or operate with skeleton staff owing to the severe impact the ongoing protest action has had on the district.

Transnet Port Terminals in Richards Bay is experiencing manpower shortages and is continuing operations in areas only where labour is possible.

The access road entering and exiting the Port of Richards Bay is being managed by Transnet security with assistance from SAPS.

Bidvest Tank Terminals (BTT) has declared a force majeure and has placed its customers on notice.

This is owing to BTT being wholly prevented from timeously rendering services to customers. The duration of the force majeure, and thus the full impact, is uncertain.

Mhlathuze Water has not experienced any major disturbances in operations as yet, however, there was an instance of disruption at one its power transformers at the weir.

This in turn affected their electricity supply.

Mhlathuze Water has engaged with Eskom to effect repairs, but owing to the high level of unrest, this has been delayed until the safety of Eskom personnel can be guaranteed.

In the meantime, Mhlathuze Water is running on a back-up diesel generator to sustain operations.