Tensions boiled on the streets of Riverpark in Alexandra after community members threatened City Power officials who had come to disconnect the power.
City Power had planned a cut-off to ‘crack down on illegal electricity connections in Riverpark, Alexandra.
The area had been identified as a high-risk area plagued by widespread illegal connections and growing resistance from customers who openly refuse to pay for electricity.
“Most of the residents in that area have bypassed meters or connected directly to the network, leading to infrastructure overload, frequent outages, and heightened risk of fire hazards”, the utility said.
However, when officials came to remove the illegal connections, residents pounced.
The Citizen was on the scene when residents shook a ladder holding a City Power employee, warning that if they cut the power they would not leave the ladder.
Others blew whistles and shouted threats until the officials backed down and headed out of the area.
A community leader, Ashford Sedzumo, told The Citizen that earlier this week City Power had cut off their electricity. Residents who were affected were told to pay R2 000 but allegedly had their power cut off again.
They believed they had a “positive” agreement with the utility after the community shut down City Power’s offices on Wednesday, preventing vehicles from leaving the premises and officials from assisting with outages.
“We are very angry with these people, I don’t know what they are taking us for. Just yesterday, we had a march to their offices and stayed there for two and a half hours. Our leaders came back with positive results”, said Alex resident Tsietsi Khungoane.
“These people [City Power officials] said they will work closely with us, and they will come back to tell us when the right time is to cut off illegal connections.
“All of a sudden, we are surprised they are here today. They told no one, they just came here with cars escorted by Metro Police and SAPS.”
Another resident, Tlaleng Mmoa, claimed City Power had “manipulated the situation” and reneged on an agreement.
“There was an agreement that said City Power will come on the 9th of June. When they come on that date, everyone who is illegally connected should have bought electricity worth R 500, and they won’t cut off their power. Instead, they will put normal boxes for them so they can carry on buying electricity,” she said.
No option but to disconnect
City Power was firm in its decision to cut the power.
“Despite ongoing engagement with community leaders, non-compliance and electricity theft remain persistent, leaving us with no option but to disconnect power supply to safeguard the network and protect lives,” it said.
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