Eskom blamed for latest eNatis woes

By Leon Engelbrecht, ITWeb senior writer

Johannesburg, 23 May 2007

A power failure in Midrand yesterday disrupted the electronic National Traffic Information System (eNatis) at some testing stations, says the Department of Transport.

Spokesman Collen Msibi says generators kicked in immediately after the power failure in the morning.

However, when power was restored around 12.30pm, "the system, in a few testing stations, including Randburg, was affected". Msibi this morning said the problem has been resolved.

Eskom meets demand

Meanwhile, Eskom says it has the capacity to meet consumers' power demands, although its reserve margins are low.

Spokesman Fani Zulu says the ongoing cold snap has shattered power demand records. The latest record was set overnight yesterday, when 35 981MW was supplied.

Eskom's chief executive Jacob Maroga warned the "efficient use of electricity is of fundamental importance during this winter peak period, and will assist in minimising the possibility of load-shedding".

The AG reports

Public dissatisfaction with eNatis continues, the latest being fall-out related to a damning auditor general's report on the system.

AG spokesman Africa Boso says the report was compiled at the request of the transport department. Only the preliminary findings have so far been conveyed to the department.

"Two other security-related audits, a network and general control audit, were also conducted." Boso adds. "We have communicated our preliminary findings to the department in the form of management reports; however, our final conclusion will be encapsulated and communicated in the department's audit report by August."

Media articles say the report warns there was an 80% chance of eNatis failing if introduced in one "big bang".

According to the Afrikaans daily Beeld, the AG examined 24 aspects of eNatis and classified 19 as "high risk". Among them was the project's duration. It overshot its deadline by 18 to 20 months and cost taxpayers about R90 million more than budgeted for, resulting in a R30 levy per transaction from 1 July to help offset the shortfall.