Witpoortjie resident worried of exposed cable

Caroline Minie who has been a resident of Witpoortjie for over 20 years is one of many residents who have been hit hard by the recent floods in Roodepoort, leaving them having to throw away all the food in their freezers as a result of prolonged power outages caused by the floods.

Minie who resides with her family on Plot 8111 in Corlett Avenue told the Record that their nightmare started in December last year after the flooding and had no electricity for over six days despite having logged calls to City Power.

Also read: City Power issue Roodepoort outage update

She eventually got lucky when a team from City Power came out. They investigated and came to the conclusion that the underground permanent cable was damaged and decided to place a temporary cable.

According to Minie, the temporary cable was for them to have power in the meantime, but the call was closed by City Power.

“We contacted our ward councillor to inform her that the call must not be closed as it’s a temporary cable therefore a temporally solution.

“On December 14 they came with the cable and laid it on the sidewalk, I asked them if they are not going to dig a trench to cover the cable as it’s a busy sidewalk with a lot of pedestrians walking.

Also read: City Power strengthen resources following heavy storms and flooding

“The men responded to me by saying that, it is not part of their job and I had to get my gardener to dig a trench to cover the cable,” said Caroline.

In the wee hours of Monday, January 9 Caroline and her husband woke up only to find that there is no power in their house.

They went out to investigate and found that cable thieves were trying to steal the cable but got disturbed by someone or something and were later informed by an elderly neighbour that she had picked up two knives at the scene.

“I immediately logged a call with City Power and also informed our ward councillor of what was going on. We had no choice but to get up and stand outside to guard the infrastructure of City Power, in one instance we heard our dogs bark and we went out only to find the cable thieves at the box, a police car chased them but they got away. Bethwell from City Power came on Tuesday, January 10 to repair an earth wire that was cut. He assured us that he will arrange for guards during the morning hours when it’s load-shedding but that was all empty promises,” said Minie.

According to Minie, the ward councillor arranged with security companies in the area to patrol.

Minie and her family are worried and are in need for help as stage 6 load-shedding was recently announced by Eskom.

“Who will be guarding the temporary cable? Why must we as residents of City of Johannesburg guard City Power’s Infrastructure? What if these thugs have guns and one of us get shot or even dies? Will the City take responsibility? After numerous guys from City Power who came to look at the temporary cable and box, we are where we started.

“The service delivery time frame for temporary cable is two days, this temporary cable has been with us for more than a month. We as residents are powerless and can’t do anything about the infrastructure, but must the unthinkable happen before one takes us seriously,” said Caroline.

Ward 71 Councillor René Benjamin said that she is aware of the temporary cable after the resident brought it to her attention.

She said that she inquired with City Power and was told that they cannot dig a trench and bury the cable because it is a temporary connection and they will sort it out, “It has not been sorted out and unfortunately, I have no idea why, the resident contacted me again and it has been a back and forth for City Power to fix to the situation”.

The councillor also confirmed organising a security company to patrol the area and lookout for the cable since it is located on a hotspot where there have been attempts of cable theft.

“I also know that the resident has taken the matter up with the mayor’s office, I have been in contact with them and sent them all the communication and attempts to try and solve the matter with City Power,” she concluded.