'Darkness is overshadowing us’

Work flows are being interrupted, resources damaged and the fight against crime is taking a knock following Eskom’s announcement last week that it was implementing Stage 6 load shedding.

Ramping up to Stage 6 means the power utility has removed 2 000 megawatts of power from the grid.

Stage 6 blackouts equate to at least six hours without power a day, possibly in two-hour cycles.

The City of Cape Town is appealing to residents to be aware of the load shedding schedule.

Mymoena Scholtz, founder of Where Rainbows Meet, a non-profit organisation that feeds, upskills and educates the community, said they are struggling with the consequences.

“Load shedding does not just affect the cooking but has caused great damages to our resources. Some of our fridges have packed up, the microwave has blown, lights fused and the camera is not working.”

They have no funds for repairs and gas for their stoves is also expensive, she said. “What is worse is hearing our beloved communities saying how they suffer due to this load shedding. Our veggies are going off and we can't keep it because we don't know what to expect.”

Ms Scholtz said their computer training is affected and students lose hope when they are turned away.

Load-shedding is affecting their sewing training due to “messed up” machines.

“It is easy to make decisions when you have money but if you are destitute and battling as an organisation then the darkness that is overshadowing us now will affect us further into the future.

“Who must fix these problems when we as an organisation are not well funded. Who do we complain to when our president does not act in the best interest of the people? We cannot continue like nothing is wrong in this country,” said Ms Scholtz.

Colonel Dawood Laing, Grassy Park police station commander, said the station is badly affected by load shedding. “Our phones are off during load shedding. The battery replacement only lasts for two hours. But when the power goes off for four to six hours then it is a problem. People should then call 10111.”

Colonel Laing said there had been an increase in crime. “Cable theft has increased and house break-in as well as street robbery.”

Colonel Laing said during the festive season it will be more challenging for police and the community. “People should have back up systems in place and to find safety solutions.”

He said shops should invest in generators.

Saadiqah Ganief, treasurer of the New Horizon Neighbourhood Watch, said: “Load shedding does impact and affect the crime in New Horizon and Pelican Park. It affects the community a lot during the early hours of the morning. We will have cables stolen during load shedding or house break-ins.”

Ms Ganief said with summer and warmer nights many children will be on the road during load shedding. “The neighbourhood watch has to resort to standby methods of patrol. When we are needed we respond irrespective of the danger. However, it is a danger therefore we cannot patrol as often if load shedding occurs late to the early hours of the morning,” she said.

Motorists are also affected during load shedding. “We found that on Strandfontein Road motorists who are stuck during load shedding fall prey to robbery as well. Therefore, we constantly need to be alert and keep our ears on the ground to actively contribute to assisting SAPS and Law Enforcement Agencies, however challenging it may be,” said Ms Ganief.

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has identified intersections as part of the City’s readiness plan for higher stages of load shedding and these are manned by Traffic, Metro Police and Law Enforcement officers.

JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral committee member for safety and security, said additional enforcement resources are also being deployed to deal with any public safety issues, or in areas affected by prolonged power outages.

The City appealed to residents to be aware of the load-shedding schedule and to keep the following tips in mind:

• Access to and lighting of your home: make sure that batteries for automated gates, garage doors and security systems are able to last through periods of load shedding. Store temporary lighting such as battery-powered torches, gas lamps and candles in places where they will be easy to find in the dark.

• Make sure that your vehicle always has fuel in the tank as most petrol stations are unable to pump fuel during power outages. Traffic lights that are out and unmanned, should be treated as four-way stops at intersections.

• Ensure that your cellphone, laptop, tablet and radio are always fully charged when power is available. This will allow you to be able to communicate with friends and family during load shedding.

• Safety around the home: ensure that all non-essential appliances are switched off before load shedding starts. Take extra care when using open flames or other heat sources for cooking or lighting. Ensure that gates, windows and doors are secured.

“There are numerous potential impacts from these higher stages of load shedding and while the City is deploying its resources as best it can to mitigate any risks to the public, we ask that residents do their bit by putting safety first, and to be aware of their surroundings at all times. Load shedding does unfortunately come with an increased risk of opportunistic crimes like cable theft and smash and grab incidents, so please plan your routes carefully and be very alert when you have to stop at intersections,” said Mr JP Smith.

Should you witness a crime or a potentially life threatening emergency, contact the Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 or 107 from a landline.