Scores of residents in the South of Johannesburg took to the streets to vent their frustrations after they were left without power once again in what was recorded as one of the coldest days in recent years on June 21.
Ward 56 councillor Michael Crichton said the electricity crisis in Ward 56 has persisted over these past couple of days, leaving residents cold and frustrated.
“The residents’ main concerns are that the power outages have inflicted damage to their appliances and have spoiled their food. The David House Orphanage, the Camellia House Old Age Home in Main Street and various other small businesses have suffered due to these outages. As the councillor, I have received reports from the residents of Albert, George, Bouquet, Lang, Main and High Street that they have experienced protracted outages sometimes of up to 20 hours.
“All these issues have been escalated not only to the City Power depot but also to Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) of Environment and Infrastructure Services Clr Moerane, the executive mayor, Clr Geoffrey Makhubo, and the city manager Dr Ndvihoniswani Lukhwareni, who have intervened in some cases,” explained Crichton.
He said a formal letter of complaint was sent to the Chief Whip of Council and although Clr Solomon Mogase promised to give them feedback by 12noon on June 12, none has been forthcoming.
“Some of our residents survive on a small income and are now forced to suffer further loss due to this continued electricity crisis. It is disappointing that the MMC issued a statement of apology on Monday for these outages across the City, but failed to mention Ward 56 and Region F2 power outage woes. It is disheartening that my residents have to bear the brunt of this continued electricity crisis!
These are people who are living on minimal income and cannot afford to have their food spoiled or their appliances damaged, and yet our government could not be bothered.
“I want to thank the Kenilworth SPAR for donating warm meals to the old age homes and the orphanage. In a time when our residents feel ignored by government, you have stepped up and supported us. We honour you for your willingness to help our community. The DA will continue to pursue officials for answers, and we will continue to hold government accountable because we know that we represent the vote of the people of Johannesburg,” he said.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said ward 56 consists of densely populated areas caused by the mushrooming of backyard dwellings.
“Most of these dwellings are illegally connected and have bypassed meters. City Power is often refused entry into these areas to audit and normalise meters. As a result, during cold weather conditions, our feeder cables get overloaded due to high demand for electricity. This renders City Power’s network unstable and unreliable.
“In some instances, electricity equipment explode and burn due to overloading. The problem is not limited to ward 56 only but it is a scourge across all densely populated areas and informal settlements across the City of Johannesburg.
City Power has increased a number of technicians attending to these unplanned power outages and it is trying its best to restore power as quickly as is humanly possible wherever and whenever they occur,” explained Mangena.
