Eldorado Park – A burnt substation, no electricity, cable theft, and rainy weather, this is how many residents of Ward 17 and 18 spent the long Easter weekend. This comes after the substation burnt on the early morning of Good Friday.
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Ward Councillors Dwain Ponsonby and Juwairiya Kaldine quickly started sending out updates on WhatsApp group chats to update residents on what City Power technicians were saying.
Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Mpho Phalatse also visited the substation on Friday with other officials to assess the situation.
A few extensions had their power restored and a few residents then offered to charge phones and boil water for those who did not have electricity.
The councillors were also asking residents to come out in their numbers to the substation and its networks in order to protect the infrastructure against vandals who may take the opportunity to steal equipment.
By Saturday, a few residents started offering to cook for those in need of a warm meal. Food items were donated to those who were cooking and the ward councillors also facilitated some of the feeding spots in the area.
The Community Policing Forum for Eldorado Park shared a statement: “We would like to commend the Eldorado Park Ward Councillors, Eldorado Park Neighbourhood Watch, community members, their leaders and the three private security companies who showed solidarity during the operation last night and this morning in protecting the Eldorado Park substation and other infrastructure during this challenging time.”
On Monday which was day four without electricity for many residents, City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said in his statement: “We are worried about the increase in vandalism and theft of the infrastructure in and around Eldorado Park while we are busy with the repairs at the substation. We appeal to residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement around our electricity infrastructure.”
This came after cables were stolen at the Nancefield substation.
City power explained that electricity should be restored to all areas in Eldorado Park by Wednesday, April 20, if all goes according to plan.
Both ward councillors were very thankful for the unity that residents showed during the long weekend and said that no words or vote of thanks can prove how grateful they are towards everyone who assisted.
