Ivory Park‘s Ward 78 and Ward 79 councillors and disgruntled community members went to Eskom’s branch in Chloorkop on 21 May to raise their grievances regarding the lack of electricity supply they had experienced for a number of days.
According to Ward 78 councillor Stephen Makamo, there were about 100 people gathered to address the matter with Eskom.
Makamo said the protest action was peaceful and not disruptive.
“When we arrived at the offices we met up with the maintenance and repairs team for an in-depth discussion regarding the power cut that took place in the area.
“We had no electricity for about five days due to a disconnection that took place at a substation which supplies the majority of Ward 78 and 79,” said Makmo.
Makamo also said electricity had been an ongoing issue in the community since February and was discussed during the community meeting on 25 March and led to frustrated residents vandalising his home.
After the 21 May meeting, Eskom allegedly promised to address the matter and according to Makamo, the electricity connection was restored within a couple of hours after the meeting took place.
Ward 79 councillor Thomas Maluleka echoed the words of Makamo when he said the electricity issue had been an ongoing problem in the community which was also strongly affected by the high numbers of illegal connections in the area.
Both Maluleka and Makamo said they hope that the meeting will result in a good relationship between the community and Eskom.
Eskom has been contacted for comment but nothing had been received by the time of publication.
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