News

MEDIA RELEASE

Media release by the Office of the Executive Mayor

Assessment on the possible impact of the weather conditions and proactive measures to be taken by the public

8 April 2024, 15:12

Dr Ruben Richards, Executive Mayor and Mr Gerrit Matthyse, Municipal Manager, of Cederberg Municipality urges our local communities to always be vigilant and observe safety precautions during the predicted weather for the Cederberg and West Coast District municipal areas. The municipality shall keep the communities informed of the weather updates and advice on safety and security measures. For updates follow us on Facebook (Cederberg Local Municipality) or website (www.cederbergmun.gov.za )

We can report that Cederberg Municipality was not severely affected by the level 4 weather warning in the past 24 hours. Reported damages occurred where some trees were affected in Algeria and House Muller in Clanwilliam. An electricity pole was damaged in Citrusdal but luckily no interruptions in the electricity supply occurred in the town.

Later, the Paleisheuwel substation was hit by the thunderstorm around 12:15 on Sunday, 7 April 2024, that caused a total blackout in the Cederberg Municipality. The technical team of Eskom was dispatched and the power was restored by 19:48 the same day. Farmers alongside the Olifantsriver in Citrusdal, in the Bo-rivier area are still without electricity since yesterday. Eskom is still onsite busy with repairs. The electricity network remains vulnerable as we experience gale-force winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms.

The Executive Mayor, Dr Richards, would like to inform the citizens, that the municipality have sufficient generators at our pumps stations, sewerage plants and boreholes in case more severe electricity outages might occur. All our resources have been mobilised by the Municipal Manager to be on standby to respond where needed.

It is important that as citizens we adhere to the instructions of our designated officials, traffic and law enforcement officers in case of disruptive occurrences. People are urged to refrain from creating or spreading fake news. It is illegal and it might cause panic and loss of people’s lives.

The municipality is in continuous contact with the West Coast District Disaster Management centre for updates and support when needed. Currently a level 4 weather warning has been issued by the South African Weather service for the West Coast District area for today as well. The municipality commits to communicate timeously with its citizens.

The community is encouraged to inform us of any weather or disaster related incidents to:

• Cederberg Municipality: 027 482 8000 / Christo Filander 078 306 8771
• West Coast District Municipality: 022 433 8700/ 087 077 0835

Issued by: Communication Unit

Anthony Vusumzi Mlata

Media and Communications

Telephone: 027 482 8000

Email: anthonym@cederbergraad.co.za