Leondale residents took to the streets on Saturday in protest against the continuous power outages, lack of communication from the municipality and the need for better service delivery.
The R554 was barricaded with rocks and burning tyres.
Ward 40 PR councillor Kade Guerreiro said the Leondale Clinic had been closed and the staff evacuated by members of the EMPD.
“Residents are not happy and rightfully so as these continued mass power outages are affecting them greatly,” Guerreiro said.
“The DA in Ekurhuleni has come out strongly, condemning the regular power outages affecting Leondale, Buhle Park and their surrounding areas.
“I have been keeping record of the number of power failures in Ward 40, since May this year.
“It is concerning that the residents of this ward have been affected by rampant power outages, which are still ongoing.”
Guerreiro added that he has been inundated with calls from frustrated Ward 40 residents who have been affected by the power outages.
“The residents are in the dark, as the City of Ekurhuleni cannot provide reasons or explanations for these constant power interruptions and outages.
“Since May 23, the residents and I have reported over 150 power issues.
“In just under four weeks, the residents of Ward 40 have had to deal with over 150 power-related problems.
“These issues range from area outages, faulty streetlights, sections and individual homes going for days without power,” he said.
“These rampant outages are completely unacceptable.”
Residents have lost food and appliances due to the power outages.
“We understand the community’s growing frustration and we demand answers from the MMC for Water, Electricity and Sanitation, Clr Tiisetso Nketle.
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“Nketle must address the community on what the causes of the outages are and what action her department will be taking to curb these issues,” he said.
“Leondale and Buhle Park have had major power issues for as long as I have been a PR councillor.
“Subsequently, we have petitioned the metro, on numerous occasions, to address this urgent matter.
“Furthermore, the DA Germiston constituency head, Michele Clarke MP, is escalating this matter to the Minister of Energy to resolve it with the urgency it requires.
“It is my belief that this matter has now reached a state of crisis.
“How does the metro expect residents to deal with the stress of the lockdown and being without electricity for days on end?
“The DA in Ekurhuleni will continue to fight for residents’ rights, the residents of this City deserve the right to sustainable basic services.”
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