THE City of Ekurhuleni says it cannot be held liable for damages incurred on June 15, when contractors deployed by the metro to replace meter boxes on Serena Road in Croydon, caused damage to residents’ electrical appliances.
Complainant Peter Kaufrinder said they had received a notice at 9am on Tuesday, June 14, advising them the power would be off on Wednesday. The power was, however, already off from 8am on Tuesday.
“We phoned the department and they actually answered the phone,” he explained. ”They told us that our street was rescheduled to Tuesday and that there would be no power on Wednesday too.
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”Needless to say, the power went off again at 8am on Wednesday.
“On Wednesday, we noticed a worker along Serena Road, replacing meter boxes, and my wife said: ‘Let’s hope they finish today.’ Come 5pm and the lights came on,” he added.
Kaufrinder said his wife then went to the kitchen and tried to put on the kettle, but the entire house sounded like it was humming.
“We’ve never heard a noise like it before; my wife said the back of the radio-DVD player blew off before I could switch off the mains, then the power went off. About 10 minutes later we saw our neighbours out on the street, looking at the meter box and we joined them.”
According to Kaufrinder the neighbours also reported damages to their appliances, mainly TV units and decoders.
Ward 17’s Clr Tracey Butler said she would assist Kaufrinder, as this was not an isolated incident.
“I have received a number of complaints in this regard. I will get all the facts together and get back to you as soon as possible,” said Butler.
Kaufrinder said damages were estimated at around R10 000 and counting.
He then approached the Ekurhuleni electricity department in Spartan to try to make a claim for damages.
“The manager told me I could not get a claim form as the department was investigating the contractor’s fault, basically saying it was not their fault. Does that mean if I employ a garden contractor who uses water and electricity I am not responsible to pay the bill?” he asked.
“Ekurhuleni damaged my appliances and I want compensation.”
Metro spokesman, Themba Gadebe, advised the affected consumers to make claims to their individual insurance companies for the losses incurred.
“According to the City of Ekurhuleni’s energy bylaw: ‘The Council shall not be liable for the consequences to the consumer or any other person of stoppage, failure, variation, surge or other deficiency of electricity from whatsoever cause, provided that compliance with the Electricity Act is maintained,” explained Gadebe.
