As they promised earlier the year, the residents of Princess informal settlement is adamant that they will have electricity — legal or illegal.
On 24 October City Power, SAPS, JMPD and the Public Order Policing Unit (Pop) joined forces to remove illegal electricity connections to the settlement but by nightfall their work was undone.
A mob allegedly took to the streets during the same evening and used an angle grinder to cut open the newly repaired substation in Geelvinkie Street, thus reconnecting their illegal electricity.
When the Record visited the substation on 28 October it was once again met by a group of hostile youths.
“It is simple,” says Councillor for the Ward Gert Niemand,” law enforcement now has to come to the party. City Power has to supply the electricity but if need be then SAPS and JMPD need to guard it”.
Councillor Carl Mann who shares the ward has echoed similar sentiments demanding stronger action to be taken.
