Pray the News
Top engineer’s departure leaves Bay critically exposed -
The Herald 29 September
Abstract
The departure of Nelson Mandela Bay’s acting electricity and energy executive director, Tholi Biyela, tomorrow will leave the city critically exposed, with only a junior engineer available to sign off on major maintenance and emergency repairs to the power network. Biyela was the metro’s only professional engineer with a critical risk certification from the Engineering Council of SA. Yet, his departure comes even as the auditor-general has, for six consecutive years, flagged the city’s failure to fill other key engineering posts -including director for projects and distribution. It leaves the electricity and energy department in the hands of only one professional engineer. The infrastructure and engineering department, meanwhile, has two professional registered engineers and the only ones who can supervise complex tasks and sign off in municipalities. This include creating plans for major repairs or maintenance on the network. In the absence of its own professional engineers, the municipality can hire consultants. Biyela tendered his resignation to Pillay in late August, just a month after angry workers dragged him out of his Munelek office, accusing him of undermining them and ruling with an iron fist. Hired in April as senior director of high-voltage maintenance, Biyela became the third person to act as head of the department since Luvuyo Magalela’s resignation in August last year. Tomorrow the council is expected to deliberate on the short listed candidates for the posts of electricity and energy head, infrastructure and engineering head, and chief operator officer.
More Background
The Electricity and Energy Department in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has been plagued by chronic instability, leadership vacuums, and operational challenges for several years, exacerbating service delivery issues in a metro already grappling with frequent power outages, aging infrastructure, and sabotage concerns. The department's woes stem from a combination of unfilled senior positions, internal conflicts, financial irregularities, and external pressures like theft and vandalism. This has led to over-reliance on temporary staff, consultants, and junior personnel, leaving the metro vulnerable to disruptions in power supply and maintenance.
The broader Infrastructure and Engineering Department fares slightly better but remains strained, with only two ECSA-registered professional engineers as of September 2025—insufficient for a metro serving over 1.2 million residents. These engineers handle supervision for roads, water, and electrical networks, but the department shares the electricity unit's recruitment bottlenecks.
Prayer Guidelines
- Stability and Unity: Heavenly Father, we lift up the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Electricity and Energy Department, which has faced chronic internal instability. We pray for peace and reconciliation among staff, management, and unions, that conflicts, such as those leading to Tholi Biyela’s departure, may be resolved with mutual respect. Grant wisdom and patience to all involved to foster a unified, collaborative environment, restoring trust and stability to serve the community effectively. Amen.
- Godly Leadership: Lord, we seek Your guidance for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as it faces a leadership vacuum, with critical engineering posts unfilled for years. Bless the council’s deliberations on September 30, 2025, as they select candidates for the heads of Electricity and Energy, Infrastructure and Engineering, and Chief Operations Officer. Raise up competent, servant-hearted leaders with integrity, equipped to guide these departments through their challenges, and fill vacant roles with skilled professionals. Amen.
- Operational Strength: Lord, we pray for the operational challenges plaguing the Electricity and Energy Department, with only one junior engineer remaining, and frequent power outages disrupting lives. Provide the department with the resources, skilled personnel, and strategic solutions to address aging infrastructure and the 1,630 faults reported in the past year. Grant wisdom to prioritize maintenance and resilience, ensuring reliable electricity for residents and businesses. Amen.
- Protection Against Vandalism and Theft: Lord, we ask for Your protection over the metro’s power infrastructure, which faces external threats like vandalism and theft, as seen in the Kensington kiosk incident and Chatty substation sabotage attempt in August 2025. Shield critical assets from harm, guide authorities in securing these facilities, and transform the hearts of those causing destruction, leading them to respect the common good. Amen.
- Financial and Administrative Wisdom: Lord, we bring before You the financial and compliance struggles highlighted by the Auditor-General, including irregular expenditures and delays in procurement that hinder repairs. Grant the municipality the discretion to manage resources wisely, address the R10 million copper cable scandal, and streamline processes to fill critical posts without reliance on costly consultants. May Your provision and guidance lead to a stable, accountable department that serves Nelson Mandela Bay faithfully. Amen.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we bring before you Nelson Mandela Bay’s Electricity and Energy Department, facing instability, leadership gaps, operational struggles, and vandalism. Grant unity to resolve conflicts, raise godly leaders for vacant roles, provide resources to fix aging infrastructure, protect against theft and sabotage, and give wisdom to manage finances and compliance. Let the Municipality restore stability and service to its communities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Listen to the prayer here.
Proverbs 11:14 (NIV): "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many wise counselors."
Compiled by GAP Ministries
Visit our "Pray the News" index page here