This is according to a representative of the Harrismith Business Forum, Ben Denzel.

He says most businesses in Harrismith are well established and are big businesses that always have a plan in place in case of disruptions. He further explains that employees do not need to worry about job security as their employers are not heavily affected financially and will not be closing their doors.

“Big businesses have become organised and make their own arrangements for generators and the likes. And the interruption is a disruption, but it is not something that forced us to close business. Things are back to normal.”

Denzel further advises small business owners, who might have been affected by this electricity crisis, to have a backup plan for unforeseen circumstances which may affect operations.

OFM News previously reported that according to the HIT (Harrismith, Intabazwe and Tshiame) Residents Association Chairperson, Willem König, there were a couple of businesses that were closed already.

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A few more were expected to close. He made an estimation that about 10% to 15% of businesses probably would not survive the electricity crisis economically. He stated that there were going to be job losses, as there were businesses that were expected to have to close their doors permanently. Not just temporarily, but permanently.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi