Powerless at the polls...
2006-02-28 19:42
Cape Town - The Peninsula would be hit by severe electricity interruptions on election day, said city manager Wallace Mgoqi on Tuesday.
He said that between 14:00 and 17:00 there would be an interruption in supply at Epping 1 and 2, Montana, Kalksteenfontein, Valhalla Park, Charlesville, Pinelands, Thornton, Oude Molen, Valkenberg, Maitland and Brooklands.
"Others areas that will be affected at the same time are Paarden Eiland, Milnerton, Sunset Beach, Sunset Links, Sandrift, Marconi Beam, Royal Ascot, Century City, Kensington, Summer Greens.
Mgoqi said that areas that also would be affected were Facreton, Ndabeni, Lavender Hill, Steenberg, Capricorn Park, part of Retreat, Sheridan Park and Vrygrond, as well as Hill View, Strandfontein, Lotus River, Zeekoevlei, Pelican Park, Hanover Park, Manenberg and Pinati Estate.
Penland, Athlone Ind 1 and 2, Varkensvlei, Meadowridge, Bergvliet, Diep River, Southfield, Westlake, Lakeside, Westlake Business Park, Silversteen Est, Steenberg, Tokai, Kirstenhof, Tamboerskloof, Higgovale, Gardens, Devil's Peak and Bo Kaap also would be affected.
Two sets of power cuts
Between 09:00 and 12:30, and between 16:30 and 19:30pm, interruptions will occur in Mowbray, UCT, Rosebank, Rondebosch, Kalk Bay, Clovelly, Fish Hoek, Glencairn, Simonstown, Cape Point, Seaforth, Llandudno, Hout Bay, Grassy Park, Ottery, Parkwood, Lotus River, Schaapkraal, Montagu's Drift, Hazendal, Athlone, Belgravia, Kewtown, Bridgetown, Rylands, Sybrand Park and Rondebosch East.
He said other areas affected would be Wynberg, Kenilworth, Lansdowne, Harfield Village, Kenwyn, Milnerton, Sunset Beach, Sunset Links, Sandrift, Marconi Beam, Royal Ascot, Westlake, Lakeside, Westlake Business Park, Silversteen, Steenberg, Tokai, Kirstenhof, Salt River.
Also affected would be Observatory, Woodstock, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay, Fresnaye, Bakoven, Sun Valley, Capri, Noordhoek, Sunnydale, Silvermine Village and Chapmans Peak.
Between noon and 15:00, and 19:00 to 20:00 there would be no power in Guguletu, Manenberg, Monwood, Nyanga, KTC, Lansdowne, Belthorn Est, Penlyn Est, Wetton, Heinz Park, Browns Farm, Philippi, Eastridge, Beacon Valley, Tafelsig, Portlands, Westridge, Rocklands, Strandfontein, Marina Da Gama, Muizenberg, St James, Claremont, Bishops Court, Rondebosch and Kenilworth Hanover Park.
Meanwhile, mayor Nomaindia Mfeketo expressed shock at the announcement that sabotage was suspected at Koeberg nuclear power station.
Updated contingency plans
"We have had our suspicions and now I hope that this investigation will quickly get to the bottom of the matter.
"It's in the interests of the city, its residents, its economy, its visitors and Eskom that this matter be cleared up as soon as possible," said Mfeketo.
She said the city needed to focus on an agenda of building Cape Town without the constant threat of unscheduled power interruptions.
"Meanwhile, the city has updated its ongoing contingency plans to deal with the latest electricity cuts and has taken urgent steps to safeguard residents.
"We will also install uninterrupted power supply devices to keep traffic lights working for more than six hours after a power failure at 200 of the most critical of the Cape Towns 1 260 intersections.
She said this was expected to cost R8m.
- SAPA