eMBALENHLE – Residents of Ext 22 summoned Mr Robert Mashiane, regional manager, and his team to disconnect illegal water and electricity connections in the area on Wednesday, 23 May.
This came after conflict between the residents and land invaders from Azania.
Ext 22 residents, mostly those owning RDP houses, accused Azania residents of stealing electricity and water which is causing more problems in the area.
They camped near the transformer to ensure that land invaders do not connect water and electricity illegally.
They said the illegal connections are resulting in constant power outages in the area.
Residents accused the Azania residents of causing instability in the area and for allegedly destroying RDP houses.
Mr Frank Radebe, resident, said they have been trying to talk with Azania residents several times about the matters, but without luck.
“We initiated the talks in good faith, but they became violent and the Extension 22 residents were forced to retaliate.
“We are not fighting. Invading the land is an issue between them and the municipality.
“We are only protecting what belongs to us.
“We have been quiet for too long. At first they accused us of not being eligible to receive RDP houses because we are young and said the houses belong to their grandmothers.
“They said our women used their sexuality to receive the RDP houses.
“They vandalised RDP houses and intimidated the builders.
“Enough is enough.”
Residents of Azania said they decided to illegally connect electricity because it is a common practice in the area.
They said the RPD houses are not connected to electricity, but there is electricity in every house.
“Stealing electricity is an open secret here.
“We also want to benefit from the free electricity that they are getting.
“They keep calling us thugs and rapists.
“We are not these things, but are poor South Africans who are in need of land and services where we live.
“I am shocked that the municipal officials, led by Mr Mashiane, disconnected only the pipes and electricity that go to Azania and left the illegal connections at the RDP houses.
“This means that RDP house occupants are authorised by the municipality to steal electricity.
“Why are they discriminating against us?”
Residents of the RDP houses could not give a clear answer about their alleged illegal connections, and accused Azania residents of disturbing the contractor who was supposed to install electricity in the area.
A resident who wanted to remain anonymous told the newspaper that they were permitted by Council to connect the electricity directly from the poles.
At the time of going to the press the Govan Mbeki Municipality had not commented.
