It was a dark week for residents of Gerdview, Homestead and Rustivia as they suffered multiple power outages throughout the week.
Ward 36 Clr Wendy Morgan told the GCN that she has been monitoring the situation, and requested feedback from the metro on a continual basis.
“I have requested a full report on the cause of the power outages and what the plan is to ensure the problem does not reoccur,” said Morgan.
She added that she was informed that there were multiple cable faults in the areas, and that teams were spotted digging throughout the area last Monday night throughout the night, however, power was only restored to the areas, after 5pm, last Tuesday and 30 minutes later the areas had a power outage again.
“This was apparently due to a hot connection at the Sunnyridge Substation in Wessel Road,” she said.
“The contractor arrived at the site to do repairs. but they did not have any lights, they used a gas blow lamp to create light for the electrician to work.
“Eventually a resident from across the road brought his inverter and flood lights to assist the electrician.”
Morgan said that this was embarrassing and she has asked the metro what the contractor service level agreement says with regard to what equipment contractors should have on site to do repairs.
On Wednesday the power went off again and Morgan was informed it was due to additional cable faults in the area.
The power was finally restored at 9pm.
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Lima Glossop, a Gerdview resident, is frustrated and sad due to the prolonged power outages.
“Nine of the fish in my pond died due to the fact that the pump was off due to the power outages,” Glossop said.
“The fish could not get enough oxygen to breathe.
“This may be insignificant to many people. but they were my pets and it was emotionally traumatic when upon my return from work I found them floating lifelessly in the pond.
“It’s like murder, yet no one can be held accountable for this.”
“Even though the power returned intermittently over the three days, my two larger fish will also eventually die as the damage has been due to their lack of oxygen over the period.
“Someone must take accountability for what is happening with these continued power outages as it’s always the people, and sometimes animals, that must suffer in the process as collateral damage.”
Glossop added that she also had food in her fridge and freezer which spoiled due to the outages, and she thinks residents should be given a rebate on their accounts due to non-service delivery for the time of the outages.
Other residents also expressed their frustration with the extended outages, and one said that they do not have the funds to replace the food which get spoiled.
The GCN requested comment from the metro regarding the power outages, and what was going to be done to ensure this did not reoccur, but at the time of going to press no comment had been received.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za.
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