20 Jan 2019

 Business owners in Maun are optimistic that the recent emergency power cut in the area will not recur.

Business came to standstill for four days in most organisations except those with back-up.

The power outage was reported to have been caused by damage of the 132kV towers that collapsed around Dukwi area.

When notifying consumers about the outage, Botswana Power Corporation officials said it was working around the clock to normalise the situation.

Meanwhile, some small entrepreneurs cried foul about the situation saying it affected their businesses.

One of the entrepreneurs, Ms Precious Miyutu, who operated a beauty spar said the power cut was a blow to her business and she lost customers due to communication breakdown.

Normally, her customers made bookings for facial, massage, manicure, pedicures and other services but they were unable to reach her due to network problems.

Another entrepreneur, Ms Kehumileng Kelewendo who sold ice pops and fat cakes said it was a draw back on her side since she struggled to raise transport money for her two school-going children.

She explained that due to the power cut, she was forced to shut her business temporarily.

Some residents wanted to know if they would be compensated by the corporation noting that they lost all goods kept in refrigerators.

“The situation has impacted negatively on my life as it damaged all the goods I got from Motshelo which were meant to feed my children for two months,” said one woman who wanted to remain anonymous.

Other residents on one hand said the situation was a disaster since it did not affect only Maun but Dukwi and Nata villages as well.  

They appreciated that the corporation kept on updating them through its website. ENDS