Eskom sheds light on Diepsloot residents
DIEPSLOOT – After a protest in October 2020, Diepsloo is getting mini-substations and transformers installed to keep the township bright.
The cries of the Diepsloot community have been heard by Eskom as permanent electricity facilities are being built and installed in the township.
This after residents protested that they did not have a reliable source of power. Residents in Diepsloot marched to the Eskom Megawatt Park offices on 26 October last year after being without electricity for almost eight months. The Fourways Review reported on the protest in Diepsloot residents demand reliable power supply from Eskom [published online on 5 November 2020].
On behalf of the community, the Diepsloot Residents Association handed over a memorandum with a list of demands to Eskom.
The list of demands included:
• Provide Diepsloot with reliable, well-capacitated transformers with a high voltage
• All informal settlements and squatter camps must be electrified
• Eskom should build a power station for Diepsloot township
• Eskom should roll out smart meter boxes after new transformers have been installed in all extensions
• Eskom should replace current [allegedly] corrupt technicians who are operating in Diepsloot.
Eskom spokesperson, Theban Ramagaga said there was steady progress in following through with the demands of the Diepsloot community.
“Eskom has started with the replacement and or installation of failed transformers and mini-substations in Diepsloot.
“Due to the high volume of equipment that has failed, the work will be executed in phases, informed by the scope of work and material availability.”
He added, “Prior to this, an audit process is conducted and this includes, but is not limited to, the removal of illegal connections, meter bypasses and the issuing of remedial fines to customers who are found to have tampered with the infrastructure.”
Public relations officer of the association, Joseph Mvelase said the community was pleased with the progress being made to alleviate the darkness in the township. He said, “Since our engagement with Eskom regarding the electricity crisis in Diepsloot, they have responded to our demands… We are happy to see Eskom working according to their promises here in Diepsloot. We can confirm that the whole community is receiving services from Eskom.”
Mvelase concluded, “More transformers have been ordered and will be coming to Diepsloot soon.”
