Mduduzi Mathebula
PALM SPRINGS. – Two Eskom offices were attacked by the community of Lakeside and Orange Farms recently.
Sedibeng Ster is informed that the community claims to have spoken to Eskom officials on several occasions about living without electricity for days on end. Their complaints fell on deaf ears. Eskom’s Corporate Affairs Officer Victor Ramagaga said that two vehicles were also damaged by the community.
Cases of malicious damage to property and public violence have been opened and are being investigated by police. Police Spokesperson Sergeant Thembeka Koago confirms the cases.
Ramagaga said that this kind of behavior by the community is unacceptable.
“An employee’s car was damaged and an Eskom vehicle was burned. Meanwhile, the Palm Springs community burned tyres at the Eskom offices while demonstrating violently,” said Ramagaga. When asked the cost of damages Ramagaga could not elaborate on the matter as he said they are still making internal investigations and allowing police to take charge.
The community claims that, throughout the winter, they had been struggling with the power supply and that is why they decided to take their grievances to the streets and to Eskom’s offices. Ramagaga said that, although communities have been struggling, that did not mean they had to damage their offices.
According to Police there have been no arrests.
