Constant power outages irk residents
The Advertiser is being flooded by complaints from Boksburg residents of continuous power outages in the area.
In a recent statement made by municipality, it was made public that the power failures are due to multiple medium voltage cable faults in the area.
Sam Modiba, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) spokesperson, reassured residents, that engineers were working around the clock and the problem would be repaired by the end of the week (Friday, October 23).
This has not been the case as residents are still in the dark.
One complainant in Boksburg South, known to the Advertiser, says extension had their power on and off for days on end (October 25).
“We are all fed up of the municipality not giving us a service that we supposedly pay for,” she says.
Modiba says the municipality is in the process of sourcing assistance from more contractors in order to deal with the problem in a shorter timeframe.
“The installation of new feeder cables between Boksburg substation and substation 35 has started.
Eight ring feed cables have also been identified for replacement and trenching on three of those, and has also started,” he explains.
In Freeway Park and part of Sunward Park, power was off for several hours on Saturday 26th October, and then again on 28th October. A few months ago Ekurhuleni Council included pamphlets “On the Road to Better Service” with their monthly accounts, that included a list of telephone numbers to call for water & sewer complaints and for water meter complaints. Numbers were listed for Nigel, Duduza, etc etc – but none for Boksburg! Maybe the Council doesn’t know there is a place sandwiched between Germiston & Benoni – no wonder service here is lousy; Boksburg doesn’t seem to exist. In any case, the complaint numbers aren’t answered – I phoned several of the listed 011 999 numbers for a water problem; 3 numbers just rang continually, while with one number, 011 999 5514, the phone was continually put down without being answered. The so-called Services Call Centre number, 0860 54 3000 gives only a recorded message about some power outages; after I held on for 12 minutes, the call I made to this number just got dropped. Maybe we need to take to the streets like residents are doing in Bekkersdal before Council will catch a wake-up; I am close to the point of joining or leading such a protest. When I do start protesting, Council should note I will just toyi-toyi but will also bring a can of petrol to motivate their staff to get moving.
Power outages are still rife in Reiger Park area since the past weekend 03 November 2013 without warning. This is highly unacceptable, winter there was no real load shedding and come spring, we have all these outages. Sort the problem out and if any maintenance needs to be done, advise residence at least 24 hours before hand. We constantly have to unplug and recheck our electrical appliances for any damages which is time consuming and stressful.