City Power temporarily withdraws technicians from Alexandra after armed robbery
Amid rising violence against utility workers, City Power has pulled its technicians from Alexandra following the gunpoint robbery of two employees.
City Power has temporarily withdrawn its technicians from Alexandra after two of its employees were robbed at gunpoint while working to repair a damaged electricity pole.
The incident occurred on October 31 around 11:45 as four unknown assailants approached the two electricians stationed in a vehicle at the corner of 2nd Avenue and London Road.
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The attackers threatened the technicians with firearms, taking their personal belongings, including cellphones and wallets, before fleeing the scene.
A case of armed robbery has since been reported to the Alexandra SAPS.
This robbery is part of a disturbing trend of violence against City Power personnel in Alexandra. Just a few months ago, an on-duty electrician was held hostage by community members while repairing cables in the area.
City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava condemned the criminal activities and urged for action against the perpetrators.
“We cannot continue rendering services in areas where their safety is threatened. The safety of our staff is paramount, and we condemn these brazen attacks. We urge the community to co-operate to ensure a safe working environment,” Mashava said.
Also read: Malawian shop owner arrested for illegal electricity reconnection in Alexandra
City Power has faced repeated incidents of intimidation, theft, and violence in Alexandra, creating a reluctance to operate in an environment where employees feel unsafe.
Mashava said when attacks occur, the entire team is withdrawn from the area to prevent further risk to their lives, leading to longer service disruptions for residents.
In a related incident, a specialised testing device, called a megger, was stolen near the Vasco Da Gama Switching Station while City Power was preparing for a scheduled load reduction, further complicating their operations and delaying essential service restoration.
“We are committed to providing essential services but will not compromise the safety of our employees and contractors. We appeal to the community to help prevent such incidents and to protect our personnel, as their primary objective is to ensure that there is service delivery,” Mashava concluded.
City Power is engaging with local councillors and community leaders to address the ongoing attacks on their workers.
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