Tsakani – Angry Ward 82 First Stop Section community members took their frustrations to the street to demand an end to electricity issues on September 28.

The protest began in the early hours as residents raised concerns over prolonged outages without a schedule.

Residents claim that they experienced a power outage from 17:00 to 23:30 on September 27, prompting them to take to the streets.

The streets were blocked with burning tyres and large rocks, and protestors demanded to be addressed by the ward councillor and an Eskom representative.

Lizberth Dlamini (86) says the electricity affects the community as a whole. She cited that it makes it difficult for elders to take their medication on time.

“I buy R500 worth of electricity monthly just for me not to enjoy it. The units are few, it does not last and worst, they take it at any time.

“We need to eat breakfast in the morning but cannot even make that for ourselves,” she said.

Ward Clr Henry Buitendacht arrived to listen to the community. He also organised Eskom representatives to listen to the concerns.

Buitendacht explained that he would further engage Eskom based on the matter in order to generate a solution.

“I will revert back to the community with factual information,” he said.

The councillor elected community representatives to go with him to the Community Customer Centre to engage on the matter as witnesses.

Further communication indicated that there would be a follow-up meeting at 17:00 on September 28 to provide feedback.