Electricity woes leave residents in the dark
Duduza residents feel defeated as they have been plunged into darkness for weeks.
Duduza – Residents of Masechaba View have been plunged into darkness. They have been without electricity for two months now.
Lebogang Kodisa, one of the many affected residents, said the problem started after a transformer exploded on May 25 leaving about 250 households without power.
“It took three weeks to get it fixed. However, it lasted for about two weeks then went off again. This reason remains unknown as no one is bothered to communicate with us. This was on June 23, and to date, we still do not have power.
“What’s frustrating is that we are being sent from pillar to post while we are suffering,” she explained.
Affected by this are local businesses including a local clinic, which, according to Ward 87 councillor Bongani Hlope, has been operating ‘under difficult circumstances’. He further explained that the matter is caused by illegal connections.
“After the first incident two transformers were installed but within two weeks of installation, they exploded again, which, according to Eskom, was caused by the overload of illegal connections.
“A contractor has been appointed to attend to the matter as we will be replacing the old meter boxes with new ones within the affected area,” he said.
He stated that the contractor started working last Wednesday and is assessing the matter. Spaza shop owner Tebogo Langa said not having electricity has badly affected his business and livelihood.
“At this point, we are so hopeless we no longer know what we must do. It has been awful living without power during such a cold winter season.
“They keep promising to fix the issue, however, nothing remains done. I can no longer provide certain services because there’s no power,” he said.
Comment requested from Eskom will be published once it has been received.
