Transformer tampering leaves Ward 27 in the dark
Eskom's Joyce Zingoni said customers also did not allow the power utility to remove tampered meters, adding that as a result, the audit was stopped.
Ward 27 in Gamalakhe has been without electricity for over two months and Eskom says it would solve the problem, but residents are just not cooperating.
Eskom’s provincial spokesperson Joyce Zingoni told Fever that Ward 27 has two failed transformers, MMUS11 and MGAS33, saying that when a transformer fails, Eskom needs to conduct an audit to determine the cause of the failure.
She said the audit on both transformers was supposed to be done on October 20, saying that when Eskom officials arrived they found illegal connections on both transformers.
Zingoni said the customers also did not allow Eskom officials to remove tampered meters, adding that as a result, the audit was stopped.
However, Ward 27 councillor Mdumiseni Cele said there must be some confusion because residents have been willing to allow the power utility to successfully conduct the audit so that power can be restored.
Cele said residents are the ones who asked for the audit to be conducted in the first place.
“We sat with Eskom and told them about the community’s request but Eskom did not come. They only came after the transformer failed and residents said they were more than willing to assist Eskom. The power utility called me and said its officials came on Monday this week, saying that they were chased away by residents – which is incorrect,” said Cele.
The councillor explained that his ward is divided into two, adding that a portion of his ward is located near Ward 5.
He said Eskom assumed that, that area falls under his ward and they wanted to start the audit there which is how they ended up fighting with those residents because that area does have electricity.
“I think they confused my ward with our neighbouring ward. Now we have to go back to the drawing board with Eskom and find another day where they will do the audit in the correct area,” said Cele.
Ward 27 resident Thabisile Hlophe confirmed to Fever that she and her neighbours have kept their doors open, waiting for the power utility to conduct its audit with the hope that electricity will be restored.
Meanwhile, Eskom’s Zingoni said they will re-issue another date for the audit once they get the commitment.
She said if Eskom finds tampered meters during the audit, they will remove those meters and issue tamper fines.
“Eskom will only replace the transformers after the customers pay the tamper fines,” she said.
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