The founder of Zandspruit Community Movement (ZCM) Enos Maake is no longer sure if there will ever be electricity in the informal settlement.
Maake had been leading the movement to get electricity at the settlement since May this year after the violent protest in Zandspruit Informal Settlement.
Talking to Randburg Sun, he said there was nothing tangible happening in the area and there were not sure if the settlement will ever be electrified.
“We were told that there is a long process to be followed. We don’t believe in hearsay, we want to see action on the ground, but this is the government we have,” he said.
He added that he could not even report back to the residents about the progress of the project promised by the government.
However, the City of Joburg MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Matshidiso Mfikoe and other stakeholders plan to visit the settlement on the weekend of 16 July to update residents about the progress of the project.
“We are waiting for confirmation from the Mayor Parks Tau and MEC for Human Settlement, Paul Mashatile,”she said.
She explained that Eskom had already appointed the contractor and they would start soon with the first 269 households.
“In the meantime, City Power is also building a power grid that will eventually supply the surrounding areas and the Zandspruit,” she explained.
The City has already installed electricity in some of the informal settlements around Johannesburg during this financial year ending this month. “We will also announce which settlement we are going to electrify in the next financial year,” she said.
Joburg Executive Mayor and MEC of Health Qedani Mahlangu recently switched on electricity at Lawley Informal Settlement in the south of Joburg, in a move that marks the safe electrification of 1500 households in this community.
Each household will be provided with a gas stove and a gas cylinder for cooking.
“The decision to provide a mixed energy solution to Lawley gives expression to our ongoing efforts to alleviate pressure on the grid and encourage consumer uptake of alternative energy sources,” said Mfikoe.
Details: City of Johannesburg, 011 587 4390.
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