Obedience Mkhabela
For the second time in two weeks, businesses on Meyer and Pretoria streets in Germiston CBD were left without power.
No communication from the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has been received.
Business operators told GCN last week they are suffering a huge loss of revenue from the power outages.
In two consecutive weeks, businesses have been operating by using generators.
“I wonder if the city will fix this in time. I don't know if it's the shift of power or oblivious ignorance to the outcry of the people who contribute to the country's economy,” said Ismail Mohammad, manager of Soweto Wholesalers.
“The days without power are too much. We have been calling and still no power. We are running our businesses on generators. How are we supposed to sustain that? For how long will we be on generators?
“My generator almost burnt out because it overheated, as it is working all the time. I do not have to remind you of the price of petrol,” said Mohammad.
Ntombikhona Makhitha said her business needs the power to continue operating, as she uses sewing machines and washing machines at a laundry shop.
“We have to sacrifice and use the machines on generators only. The sewing machines do not work on generators. All our sowing work is on hold now. For two weeks straight, no power. This has become ridiculous,” said Makhitha.
Lorraine Muttitt from Smitty's Family Outfitters said they had no power since November 25.
“Power returned for less than 48 hours, and we have been left in darkness again since,” said Muttitt.
On December 7, power had still not been restored.
“We feel defeated,” said Muttitt, who added that their businesses are run by generators.
“But at what cost? We are spending so much on the generators. It is not fair to all of us, since we pay our rates and taxes in time,” she said.
Joseph Osagie of Ostap Cafe said the cost of petrol is too high and they are doing everything they can to cope.
“This situation forces us to increase our service fees. We had to increase the price of making copies to R1.50 so we can try to survive. I think the problem came after the heavy rains that flooded the mall.
“It was after that rain that we had no power and operating here since 2014. I think the rains affect our power,” said Osagie.
Adeleye Ogudeyi from a barbershop said: “As a salon, we need power. What must we do? Close shop and go? No one is talking to us. We call and no one tells us anything. The city knows we don't have power because people call every day. The generator takes more than half of what you make a day.”
For the second time in two weeks, GCN sent a request for comment to CoE.
The second request was sent on December 8, and comment was requested by December 10 at 10:00.
At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
