Cenored ignores Tsumeb's power crisis, ruining lives

Residents and businesses in Tsumeb continue experiencing power failures months after first reporting the problem, causing financial hardship and equipment damage across the industrial sector. Walter Carelse, who manages Goal Maize Factory, said his operations have suffered since last year, with maintenance costs reaching nearly $300,000. He reported outages lasting from 30 minutes to several hours despite repeated contacts with Central North Regional Electricity Distributor. On a recent Sunday, maintenance took all day, yet interruptions resumed within days. This past Tuesday, Cenored scheduled another shutdown affecting the entire industrial zone, including major facilities and businesses.

Local activist Johannes John said patience among residents has worn thin as blackouts occur even during light rain. Constituency councilor Gottlieb Ndjendjela acknowledged the frequent cuts but noted his office lacks authority over electrical distribution, which falls under Cenored's control. He cited substation maintenance and copper wire theft as contributing factors.

Cenored spokesperson Chali Matengu disputed claims of persistent outages, stating the company operates under regulatory standards and communicates planned maintenance two to three weeks ahead through multiple channels. He emphasized that widespread unplanned outages would trigger regulatory oversight from the Electricity Control Board.