City Power has apologised to residents for the fluctuating voltage at their homes and for receiving electric shocks in their showers.
Residents of about eight houses in Willowvale Road received the shocks for about a week after their mini-substation was vandalised and then had only some of its parts replaced and checked before being reactivated on July 28.
These were not lethal shocks, but of moderate degree and ‘very painful’. They caused consternation among understandably angry residents, especially as it took days since they reported the matter to City Power before the entity took action, and about a week before the problem was found and resolved.
“We sincerely apologise for these incidents and are committed to providing a stable and safe power supply to customers,” entity spokesperson Isaac Mangena said.
He said an earthing issue at the Baksteen Street mini-substation was first thought to be the problem. This was resolved on July 29, but the shocks continued.
Mangena said the following day a fault was discovered at Suzan transformer substation. Then over the next few days City Power sent teams to check the mini-substations in the area to locate the problem. It was only on August 3 that Mangena confirmed a loose connection had been fixed, the shocks had stopped and voltage supply returned to normal.
“I’m too scared to even shower now. I received a definite, strong shock the last time I tried and I don’t want to go through that again,” complained Desireé Selikov at the time.
“We’ve been getting zapped in the shower,” said Rob McKellar-Basset. “All the drains with metal pipes are giving electrical readings since City Power put in the new mini-substation. We have been waiting for load-shedding just to have a shower. Who would have thought that load-shedding would be a blessing, but it’s better than risking at the least a very painful shock.”
Ward 99 councillor Nicole van Dyk and private electrician Harold Fleishman helped residents as best they could, but they were frustrated as only City Power staff were allowed to work on the mini-substations.
“City Power did a poor job and the people are suffering for it,” Fleishman explained. “Four circuit breakers are still missing as well as one earth connection.”
He said this could also be reason for the fluctuation of voltage the same residents have been receiving, whereby their appliances alternate between not working at all and overworking to the point where they could explode.
Resident Stevie Colborne said one of his lightbulbs is burning much brighter than before and gives off a strong smell.
McKellar-Basset added, “Last night we hit a new low of 118V which my inverter picked up. it’s just crazy at the moment.”
Mangena added, “We urge the community to participate in the infrastructure security plan, which incorporates working with Tactical Security Operations intending to reduce and prevent cable theft and vandalism drastically.
“City Power calls on local communities and businesses of Randburg to participate in its community partnership programme on electricity network infrastructure security to protect critical infrastructure and minimise power outages.
Details of the full programme are available on City Power’s website.
