WATCH: No electricity at Kaserne Hostel, residents promise to be disruptive

Residents of Kaserne Hostel promised to be disruptive if they don’t have electricity by the end of April 5.

It has been 15 days since the cables were stolen and the residents were left in the dark. There are 200 family units in the hostel. In a prompt meeting with Ward 57 Clr Faeeza Chame on April 5, committee chairperson at the hostel Anele Dziweni vowed they will be disruptive if their pleas are not heard.

“We won’t take any messages from management. It has been close to three weeks without electricity. I don’t think there is anyone here who wants to go to any engagement with the management. At our last meeting with them on Sunday, they promised us the issue of procurement was done and said the lights will be on today.

One guy came yesterday, talking about generators. I told him generators are temporary, we want a permanent solution.

“We don’t want any excuses because tomorrow any action can be exercised, either on the streets or anywhere.

Don’t be surprised about it. There’s no more trust in this management. Remember, today was the opening of the schools and it was difficult to bathe the children.

“If there is no electricity today, I promise you tomorrow we will be outside on the street. We know police will be trying to shoot us with rubber bullets. We are tired. We need electricity. There is no feedback from them,” he said.

Chame reiterated this is not a City Power issue, as the hostel belongs to Transnet and they have their own technicians.

“I have been engaging with Transnet; however, the feedback I get has been negative. I cannot blame them for protesting.

These people cannot eat takeaways every day. A lady with a tuck shop here lost everything as she cannot sell.

Transnet needs to come up with a plan. One of their managers, Mr Mabeta, said they are still in a meeting about this matter; he will come back to me,” she said.

COURIER tried to contact Mr Mabeta in vain; a message was left.