Unacceptable prolonged power outages - City Power

Subject: Unacceptable and Prolonged Power Outages – Immediate Intervention Required I write this complaint out of sheer frustration and exhaustion after enduring what can only be described as persistent and unacceptable power outages in our area over the past three months. By conservative calculation, our suburb has experienced cumulative power interruptions equivalent to almost ten (10) full days during this period. Most alarmingly, we were once left without electricity for five consecutive days. Five days. This is not an inconvenience — it is a failure of service. As a direct result, all the meat and perishable goods in my freezers defrosted, with some going off completely. This represents real financial loss, not theoretical inconvenience. I ask plainly: Was this load shedding, or was it a fault? Because if this is load shedding, it bears no resemblance to any published schedule, and if it is a fault, then one must ask how a fault can persist for days on end in a major metropolitan area. What is deeply troubling is that one specific area of the city appears to be disproportionately affected, while other areas continue with relative stability. How does this happen in a city that claims progress, parity, and infrastructure resilience? The situation has now begun to actively undermine our livelihoods. My wife works from home, and due to the unpredictability and frequency of these outages, this has become virtually impossible. Reliable electricity is no longer a luxury — it is a basic requirement for modern work, education, and dignity. Engaging with customer support has been equally disheartening. Calls are met with hold times approaching an hour, and when one finally gets through, the response is often vague: “It’s a fault and it’s being attended to.” Attended to for days? With no updates, no timelines, and no accountability? I urge the responsible officials and engineers to place themselves in the position of affected residents. No one would tolerate this level of uncer*****y, loss, and disruption in their own homes. To the Honorable Minister: I recently noted the published statistics highlighting improvements in load shedding and overall system performance. While progress is welcomed and acknowledged, I must ask — did those statistics include our area? Or are we simply the unlucky footnote in an otherwise optimistic report? Progress cannot mean advancement for some while others are quietly left behind. This complaint is a direct appeal for decisive intervention. These issues require permanent, structural resolution, not repeated temporary fixes and generic call-centre assurances. We deserve: Clear communication Accurate classification of outages Reasonable response times And above all, reliable electricity I trust this matter will be escalated and addressed with the seriousness it warrants. Continued silence or inaction will only reinforce the perception that certain communities are expected to endure what others would never accept. I look forward to a formal response and a concrete plan of action.