UPDATE: Princess residents block road in protest for electricity
One resident told the Record that they want the power utility to stop ignoring their calls and restore their electricity and only then will they clear the road.
Residents from the Princess Informal Settlement took to the streets and closed off sections of Albertina Sisulu Road with burning tyres and rocks halting all traffic from accessing the area, on Wednesday morning, November 16.
According to some of the residents on scene, they have not had electricity since Thursday, November 10 and have lost all the food in their refrigerators.
The residents claim that, since some sections of the informal settlement have been fitted with prepaid meters, they are now paying for the electricity, but City Power has been ignoring them for almost a week.
One resident told the Record that they want the power utility to stop ignoring their calls and restore their electricity and only then will they clear the road.
Ward 71 Councillor Rene Benjamin said that she was not aware of the protests when contacted by the Record but confirmed that the electricity issues have been escalated to City Power.
Benjamin said that City Power is running on an average of probably between three to eight days, it is now day six and she has escalated the matter again.
“Unfortunately, it is out of my hands now as it is in City Power’s hands, I will try and see if I can get hold of the General Manager to assist,” said Benjamin.
Roodepoort Police Station Spokesperson, Captain Juanita-Anne Yorke confirmed that Colonel Rababalela together with members are on scene and advised that they contacted City Power Spokesperson Isaac Mangena for further commentary.
Mangena was contacted by the Record but at the time of publishing, there was still no reply from him, more information will be shared once it is available.
For now, motorists are urged to avoid Albertina Sisulu Road between Corlett Avenue and Sunshine Cash and Carry.
