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NMBM response to The Herald Article dated 18 October 2023, titled: “GUTTED”

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In a published article dated 18 October 2023, titled: GUTTED, (The Herald) an allegation was made that a temporary electricity connection installed by NMBM was “apparently linked” to the fire that destroyed a house and damaged a second one in Bethelsdorp earlier this week. The temporary connections are located outside the boundary wall of the house.

Following the incident, NMBM can confirm that upon technical investigation it was discovered that the cause of the fire was not as a result or caused by the temporary connections. There was no sign from the temporary connection of any short circuit or insulation failure, nor of an explosion on the connection itself. Furthermore, the meter box, the circuit breaker and the meters were still intact as seen in the picture below.

Outside Meter Box

It must be further highlighted that the temporary connections were on the mains cable and if there was a fault or failure in it, that would have affected a number of households supplied by the temporary connections. While NMBM Electricity & Energy Directorate does not promote temporary connections, it must be noted that the connections are used an interim measure to restore supply to customers sooner, as the permanent repairs take time.

NMBM remains committed to tackle the backlog of temporary connections. A commitment was made in August that 140 temporary connections would be eradicated, however the increase in the number of connections that need to be resolved has seen more teams on the ground and the envisaged completion date moved to early 2024. More than 50 temporary connections have been fixed so far.

As the Metro we do not take the allegations made against us lightly and as such we dismiss the unfounded allegations or claims as they are untrue and a fabrication.

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NMB Communications

Media Communications at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality Communications Department is responsible for communicating pertinent Municipal news from Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch. Municipality Contact Details. See more articles by NMB Communication's.