14 days without power 'too much'

2008-04-29 14:56

Verashni Pillay

Johannesburg - East Rand residents who were due to receive electricity after a week-long black-out were left in the dark again when a cable failure occurred while power was switched back on early on Tuesday morning.

Residents in Rhodesfield, Van Riebeeck Park and Cresslawn are facing a second week without electricity after a fire at a local substation caused a power failure.

Municipal spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini could not be reached on Tuesday for comment, but unofficial sources within the municipality confirmed that a cable failure had occurred.

Meanwhile Van Riebeeck Park resident, Jeannette Opperman told News24 that she had rushed home when she heard that power was to be restored to all areas on Tuesday morning, only to find cables lying in the street.

No answer

"There is nobody working on it," she said, complaining that the municipality was not communicating with the public enough. "On Thursday I phoned [the call centre] 51 times before someone answered the phone."

Opperman said the effect on her household had been extremely trying. "How do you get clean clothes for school children? I've been bathing in cold water for a week."

The entire East Rand suburb was plunged into darkness on Tuesday April 22 after a fire at a local substation. Power was restored to around 75% of the area within 24 hours, but the balance remained without electricity until early Tuesday morning.

It was unclear how long it would take to restore power to the three towns affected by the cable failure.

According to Opperman a municipal worker at the call centre told her it may take a week to fix.

"Seven days is already pushing it but 14 days is totally unacceptable," she said.

- News24