The role of infrastructure maintenance in reducing electricity outages in eThekwini municipality

Abstract

This study investigates the role of infrastructure maintenance in addressing persistent electricity outages in the eThekwini Municipality, in Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.  The research identifies that aging infrastructure, poor maintenance practices, and inadequate resource allocation are significant contributors to the rising frequency and duration of power disruptions across the municipality.  The impact of these outages includes economic losses, traffic disruptions, increased crime, and health risks, particularly for residents reliant on home-based medical care.  The study adopted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology, using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, themes, and knowledge gaps related to electricity infrastructure maintenance. Key findings revealed that poor planning, limited budgetary support, skills shortages, infrastructure vandalism, and theft exacerbate the crisis.  The research achieved its objectives by highlighting the relationship between infrastructure reliability and effective maintenance practices its father proposed a set off extendable recommendations including increased investment and preventative maintenance workforce training the adoption of smart grid technologies and community engagement to reduce vandalism and illegal connections these strategies aim to improve network reliability and service delivery while addressing the social political tensions that result from frequent power failures