Residents can claim from the City of Johannesburg for damages due to power surges after load shedding.
City Power spokesperson Sydney Mphahlele said this on 30 March, following an incident where a Bromhof resident allegedly lost R5 000 worth of electrical appliances thanks to her blow dryer catching alight, after being left on during load shedding.
“A power surge occurs when electricity voltage increases exponentially on a live cable supplying a customer as a result of activity from mother nature, such as a lightning strike, or theft and vandalism of neutral cable,” Mphahlele said.
“As the cables are not live (carrying electricity) during load shedding, it becomes easier for cable thieves to steal them…”
This can cause a power surge after load shedding, when electricity is restored.
If this happens, and appliances are damaged, residents can contact the City Power Legal Department on 011 490 7546. Residents must then complete a claim form, which will be registered with a reference number. A technical report is then submitted to the insurance company, which will make the decision on whether to settle the claim or not, based on the merits of the case and cause of the power surge.
“If the surge has resulted in loss of power they should call [the City] call centre at 086 056 2874 or log a call on [the] City Power website,” Mphahlele added. He concluded by asking residents to report cable theft to the following phone numbers: 080 000 2587, 011 490 7911 or 011 490 79000.
Details: City Power 011 375 5555.
