GAUTENG.- Eskom said that it is concerned that this is not only the third such incident where our colleagues get attacked and robbed while performing their duties of ensuring electricity supply in Mabopane, but also more concerning and disappointing is that members of the community had mobilised and threatened its technicians while conducting repairs on the site.
“It is concerning that our employees now require to be escorted while carrying out their duties to ensure that reliable supply of electricity is provided to the communities,” says Kith Maitisa, Safety, Health, Environment, Quality and Security Manager in Gauteng.
The company said that the matter has been reported to the South African Police Services (SAPS) in Mabopane police station while the guard was rushed to the local medical facility where he was treated for a gunshot wound and discharged the next day. The incident happened while the Eskom technicians were replacing a cable to restore supply in Mabopane Block D. A vehicle with four occupants stopped next to the reaction security officer and two armed occupants got out of their vehicle shot and disarmed him of his service firearm.Eskom further said that it has no choice but to withdraw its services in communities where its employees are threatened, and their safety is compromised.
“While we condemn this violent behaviour meted against our employees and urge communities to refrain from such acts of criminality, we are grateful that this incident did not result in a loss of life and that our colleague is at least recovering at home”, concluded Maitisa.
ENDS
