Multiple areas in Cape Town are grappling with significant power outages due to a backlog of electrical faults. Eskom announced on Monday that the disruptions are attributed to a combination of inclement weather, theft, vandalism, and illegal connections.

The affected areas include Khayelitsha, Grabouw, Macassar, Somerset West, Eersterivier, Kraaifontein, Delft, Belhar, Wesbank, Sir Lowry’s Pass, and Philippi. Eskom assured residents that their teams are "working hard" to restore power to these regions.

Last week, Eskom suspended all services in Khayelitsha following a series of attacks on its teams. The most recent incident occurred on 9 June when armed men assaulted a team in eNdlovini, southern Khayelitsha. Although the team escaped unharmed, their vehicle was damaged during the attack.

“This disruption will cause delays in service delivery, potentially leading to extended periods without electricity for customers,” Eskom stated. “We will work with local authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly before determining when services can resume.”

Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk reported that the team was repairing electricity poles when they noticed three armed men approaching. They managed to escape, but the assailants opened fire, damaging their vehicle. No arrests have been made as the investigation continues.

Eskom remains optimistic despite these challenges, as the country has recently marked 80 days without loadshedding.

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