 The Class 21E was placed in service on the 25 kV AC Coalink line between Ermelo and the Richards Bay Coal Terminal.They work directly from the coal mines around Ermelo, running under 3 kV DC catenary.The dual voltage Class 21E locomotives can therefore haul their loads directly from the mines all the way to Richards Bay without having to change locomotives in Ermelo to cater for the change in the power supply.