The Ekurhuleni Energy Department, in consultation with the Human Resources Department, is in the process of filling vacancies, according to metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe.
This comes after the DA raised concerns about the impact vacancies have on service delivery.
Ward 73 councillor Sinethemba Matiwane highlighted the vacancies mean current staff are working exhausting hours and are quickly reaching their overtime limit of 60 hours per month, meaning that by the last two weeks of the month there are almost no electricians on standby to tend to issues pertaining to electricity faults.
“As a result, residents have to endure longer hours of electricity blackouts, which have been exacerbated by the lockdown,” he said.
He urged the metro to fill the vacancies within the Benoni Energy Department in order to adequately realise their mandate of delivering services to residents.
“Furthermore, we propose that contractors be appointed to service electricity issues once internal officials have reached the 60-hour overtime threshold.
“These measures will go a long way in delivering the services that Benoni residents desperately need,” he said.
Gadebe said the Benoni depot has 19 vacancies out of a staff complement of 113 and is utilising the services of contractors on an as-and-when-the-need-arises basis.
“In terms of operating the Ekurhuleni network, a person needs to be authorised, which is why contractors are not able to perform other functions without the presence of metro staff,” Matiwane said.
He continues to encourage residents to report service delivery complaints to 011 999 6429 during office hours.
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