A North West farm says he plans to sue Eskom for more than R2 million in damages and losses after power supply disruptions left more than 40 000 of his broiler chickens dead.
On Monday night, an extraordinary low-voltage power supply in the Coligny area caused the deaths of Herman du Preez’ broiler chickens from suffocation.
The poultry supplier, who employs about 45 workers, said a transformer had blown at the Coligny substation in November had exacerbated load-shedding.
“On Monday, when the voltage dropped, it damaged the computerised temperature controls and cooling systems in one of the houses without setting off the alarms. The birds suffocated,” he said.
Video by Herman Du Preez.
“Running diesel-powered generators is unsustainable at today’s costs and will drive up food prices.”
On 11 January, Coligny and Lichtenburg farmers’ representative Mariaan Hendriks wrote to Eskom’s chief operating officer, Jan Oberholzer, and other senior officials, telling them: “Everyone is aware that Coligny and surrounding farms are part of the so-called maize triangle and that is part of the bread basket of not only South Africa but of the whole world.
“That load-shedding is the biggest driver of food insecurity, rising food prices, job losses and the slowdown of our economy is uncontested. Farmers cannot use their pivots on Eskom power supply, and have to use generators at huge costs. This is totally unacceptable, because the farmers are also paying all Eskom costs per month.”
The farmers have not had a response from Eskom about when the transformer would be repaired.
Eskom’s industry support and stakeholder manager Zodwa Dlamini said: “Eskom has responded and addressed the supply interruptions on the network. In some cases, alternative supply points are used to restore power supply to the customers as quickly as possible while repairs are being arranged.”
“During the November and December period, we have been experiencing ongoing copper theft and vandalism on the infrastructure resulting in intermittent power supply.”
Video by Herman Du Preez.
Dlamini confirmed a substation at Zeerust had been vandalised and was repaired on Tuesday.
“The area is running at normal capacity, however intermittent supply has been an issue due to theft and vandalism. With the technicians already dispatched on site to work on the problem, power will be brought to its normal operation.”
On Tuesday, the leaders of Agri SA and Grain SA met Oberholzer to highlight the effect of load-shedding on agricultural production throughout South Africa, and the economy in general. Later on Wednesday the South African Poultry Associations said that 10 million chicks have had to be culled over the past six weeks.
In a feedback report Oberholzer said that load-shedding would continue for the unforeseeable future.
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