This comes after a large number of residents and businesses in Bloemfontein and other areas could not purchase electricity tokens since Sunday. The metro's electricity supplier, Centlec, experienced problems with its vending system after a power failure on Sunday. Since then Centlec continuously apologised for any inconvenience caused and re-assured the public IT technicians are working tirelessly to restore the system.

Other areas affected were the Mohokare Local Municipality in the Xhariep District and Mantsopa Local Municipality in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District in the eastern Free State.

By yesterday some households already ran out of electricity and when Centlec sent out a notice at about 19:15, people rushed to their nearest outlets. Others tried to purchase tokens online. However, in some areas in the northern suburbs, customers had to turn back as some outlets could not help them immediately as their in-store systems failed to connect to the main system. On some mobile banking apps, the system was also not available.

Opposition parties yesterday lashed out against Centlec, saying the electricity supplier should have had a backup system and contingency plans in place. The EFF's Eddie Goliath said it is with absolute shock and dismay that the party learned about the problem. He said the failure by the ANC-led government is costing loyal rate and taxpayers and businesses money.

Meanwhile, Executive Mayor of the Mangaung Metro, Olly Mlamleli, has apologised to residents in Bloemfontein and surrounding areas who were unable to buy electricity tokens. Mlamleli says she knows it caused an inconvenience to many and the failure came unexpectedly. It was not deliberate and when it comes to infrastructure, some hick-ups might appear.

She says all roleplayers are looking into a long-term backup plan to prevent similar situations in future. She says contingency plans also need to be put in place at sporting facilities in the city.

OFM News