Boksburg informal settlement finally gets safe access to electricity
When asked if there were plans in place to electrify other areas, the metro gave a rather vague answer, saying: “Electrification of informal settlements is dependent on first re-blocking the parts of informal settlements
A R19-million project is underway to provide Road Reserve informal settlement in Ramaphosa with power, following years of protests coupled with illegal connections to the City’s grid.
The electrification project is part of a plan to re-block the area and was launched on October 30 last year. Its estimated completion date is April 26.
The project will see over 400 households safely accessing electricity, and two high-mast lights will be installed.
The customers will be expected to pay for their services to ensure that they are sustained; however, qualifying indigent people will also benefit from the City’s Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme.
The capital budget for this project comes from the City and the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG).
It’s still unclear as to when exactly or whether the remaining local informal settlements would receive electricity.
When asked if there were plans in place to electrify other areas across Ekurhuleni, the metro gave a rather vague answer, saying: “Electrification of informal settlements is dependent on first re-blocking the parts of informal settlements.
Check the below Q and A with the metro:
Q: What is the total number of electrification connections planned for this financial year?
A: 391 households.
Q: Does the metro see these legal connections as a potential game-changer that could help in dealing with the rampant illegal connections in the informal settlements in particular?
A: Legal connection will be assisting not only in eliminating illegal connection, but also to reduce outages caused by illegal connections on the current formal networks, and enhanced safety in the area through lighting.
Q: Who will be responsible or tasked to safeguard and look after the electricity infrastructure to ensure continuity of supply for everyone?
A: The Energy Department’s maintenance division.
Improved policing
The Reiger Park police also weighed in with some comments on the project, and describe the electrification of the area as a step in the right direction to help them improve policing the area.
Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson Sgt Mashudu Phathela said the development will help enhance their efforts to combat crime as the new roads will allow their vehicles to access and move through the settlement with streetlights illuminating the area.
“Most criminals are using the settlement as a hideout where they seek refuge after committing their criminal acts, but with the new wide streets and lighting we will be able to give chase and catch them,” said Phathela.
Phathela also urged residents to refrain from connecting power illegally, stealing and vandalising the infrastructure.
“As the police in the area, we will take a tough stance against those found connecting illegally or damaging the infrastructure,” said Phathela.
Also Read: Gloomy outlook for Ekurhuleni’s electricity department
