Frustrated Daggafontein residents protest power outages
Residents of Daggafontein, enduring months of frequent power outages without notice, voiced their frustrations at the Energy Department Depot recently.
A group of unhappy Daggafontein residents took their grievances to the Energy Department Depot on Friday, demanding action after enduring months of intermittent power cuts without prior notice.
Since April, the community claims they have faced electricity disruptions at least once a week, lasting approximately 34 hours each time.
“These days it’s down to twice a week. The frequent outages have caused us to discard spoiled food and replace damaged electrical appliances,” lamented resident Roos Trindade.
Residents also expressed concern over the safety implications of pitch-dark streets, which they argue increase the risk of break-ins.
A petition initiated by Trindade swiftly gained traction, collecting 262 signatures within 24 hours, including support from Vita Nova and the Sanel Centre, housing 150 disabled individuals.
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Intent on seeking a resolution, the residents aim to compel the Department of Electricity and Energy to address their plight urgently.
Mpumi Vilakazi, the PRO of Epilepsy Daggafontein Centre, highlighted the severe impact of ongoing power outages on their operations and the well-being of residents.
She emphasised that the centre faces significant challenges due to the lack of electricity. Vilakazi mentioned that security is compromised as manual operation of gates and malfunctioning alarms create vulnerabilities during power outages.
“This situation poses risks, especially during nighttime when visibility is poor,” said Vilakazi.
“We’re also having difficulties in caring for frail clients who require constant monitoring, medication administration, and the use of medical electric devices in the dark.
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“This reliance on torches complicates essential tasks and increases the risks associated with medical care.”
Vita Nova Centre director Michelle Immelman added that the practical challenges caused by power outages, such as the inability to use washing machines daily and the discomfort of cold water for bathing.
“These issues significantly impact the daily life and hygiene of residents in the large, cold environment of the centre,” said Immelman.
“In addition to these operational challenges, the lack of electricity affects basic amenities like kitchen appliances (such as electric stoves) and hot water for dishes, which are essential for meal preparation and hygiene.
“Moreover, the office work and communication at the centre are severely hindered due to the absence of adequate lighting and network connectivity, further exacerbating the difficulties faced during power outages.”
