The local economy continues to plunge as the Germiston CBD businesses between President and Meyer Streets were left without power for 11 days.

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On June 13 the two streets lost power, forcing business operators to either shut down or operate using a generator.

Last year, similar scenarios occurred when businesses around the same block were left without power from November 25 to December 2.

The City of Ekurhuleni then blamed vandalism and cable theft for the power outage.

Business owners blamed the City of Ekurhuleni for being incompetent.

Lucas Tshetlo, the Smitty’s Family Outfitters manager said the city has not communicated with them since the power went off.

“All we do is report and report. No one has done anything about it.

“We have been operating with generators that cost us between R700 to R1 000 a day,” said Tshetlo.

“The cost of running the generator is from our pockets. We have been to the energy department several times but they couldn’t help,” said Tshetlo.

Ezenwa Onuoha, business operator and manager of Fine Star African Food Stuff said he has six fridges connected to a generator to prevent his stock from going to waste.

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“I sell fresh produce and meat, including chicken and fish that needs a fridge.

“It has affected how we run a business. I have to stock small quantities of stock to sell quickly and maintain our customer base,” said Onuoha.

“We spend R400 for fuel in two days. For a shop that sells Nigerian foodstuff with a small market in Germiston this is a huge blow for us,” he said.

“I developed a strategy to use the generator for a couple of hours a day and then switch it off because the cost of fuel being so high,” said Onuoha.

Victor Igwe, a President Street resident said not only businesses feel the effects of the power outage.

“Residents are forced to use paraffin or gas stoves to warm water or prepare food,” said Igwe.

“This situation is difficult for me because I have to boil water using a gas stove to clean my wounds. I had an operation and my wounds have not yet healed,” he said.

“It takes time to boil sufficient water on a gas stove. It is impossible to do even the smallest things without power, like ironing clothes, getting your phone charged, or making a cup of tea,” said Igwe.

Sharif Sharif, a business operator, alleged a fellow business operator in President Street was robbed recently due to no power in the area.

“I am forced to close shop early because I don’t have a generator. It gets dark and you can’t see people coming into your shop at night.

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“My fridges have not worked, I cannot sell cool drinks and my stock is going to waste,” said Sharif.

Lorraine Muttitt, owner of Smitty’s Family Outfitters reported that the power was restored on Thursday at 12:00.

The GCN requested comment from the Germiston SAPS regarding the alleged robbery.

At the time of going to print no comment had been received.

The GCN also requested comment from the City of Ekurhuleni by Friday, June 24 at 10:00, but no comment had been received at the time of going to print.