Windstorm leaves thousands in the dark

Mbabane – Thousands of households and businesses across Eswatini remain without electricity as the country grapples with the aftermath of a severe windstorm. The Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) reports over 5,000 outages, with technical teams tirelessly working to restore power amidst challenging conditions.

Since the onset of the storm, persistent high winds have ripped through the nation, causing widespread damage. Power lines have snapped, poles have toppled, and other vital infrastructure has suffered significant harm. Faulty transformers, tripped feeders, fallen structures, and blown-out fuses contribute to the extensive network disruption.

EEC personnel, dispatched from depots including Stonehenge (Mbabane), Manzini, Elangeni, Nhlangano, Matsapha, Pigg’s Peak, Hluthi, Madlangempisi, and Malkerns, are on the ground. Their immediate tasks involve assessing the full extent of the destruction, clearing fallen trees that obstruct lines, and initiating urgent repair efforts.

The prolonged power cuts affect numerous communities. In the Mbabane region, areas such as Mpolonjeni, Ngwenya, Msunduza, and the CBD are impacted. Manzini sees outages in Luhlokohla, Moneni, and Ngwane Park, while Elangeni, Lobamba, and Mlilwane are also in the dark. Southern parts of the country, including Nhlangano CBD and surrounding areas like Gege and Hlathikhulu, are experiencing disruptions. Matsapha Industrial Site, Kwaluseni, and Ludzeludze are also hit, alongside Pigg’s Peak CBD, Matsamo, and Timphisini in the north. Further south, Hosea, Hluthi, and Lavumisa are without power, as are Madlangempisi, Luve, and Mliba in the east. The Malkerns valley, encompassing Luyengo and Tinyonini, is similarly affected.

The electricity company advises the public to treat all fallen power lines as live and report any hazards immediately. Customers can report outages through the self-service platform by dialling *8888# or by calling the toll-free number 800 9000 (mobile users can dial 2508 3333). Due to the storm’s severity and ongoing adverse weather, EEC anticipates that full restoration will take longer than initially expected. The company appreciates the patience and understanding of its customers and vows to continue providing regular updates via its official social media channels.