A long-delayed effort to bring formal electricity to the Vukani informal settlement in Alexandra has sparked conflict between nearby residents, pitting neighbours against each other on 6th Avenue.

Read more: Alex residents block road over month-long power outage

On 14 May, tensions flared when contractors arrived on 6th Avenue to install a mini-substation commonly referred to as a ‘box’ by residents. Many 7th Avenue residents, who had been without electricity for more than three weeks, believed the work was intended to restore power to 6th Avenue while their own avenue remained in the dark.

Residents on 7th Avenue noted that the situation has made them desperate. They have relied on candles for lighting and gas for cooking since their mini substation reportedly was damaged weeks earlier. City Power has reportedly insisted that residents pay R500 before replacing a damaged mini-substation serving their area.

One resident, Majabula Ravalo Manana, highlighted the impact of the outage on his family. “We have children at 7th Avenue, and there are elders. My mother’s medication is stored inside the fridge. She is using insulin; the medication must always be in the fridge. So, when this happens, what must we do? Must we allow it? No, we can’t.”

The sight of electrical work nearby, while their own homes remained unpowered, fuelled anger and a sense that authorities were prioritising other areas.

Also read: City Power disconnects flats in Riverpark

However, the installation on 6th Avenue was not for local formal residents, but part of a separate initiative to electrify the adjacent Vukani informal settlement.

Ward 107 councillor Floyd Ngwenya explained that the Vukani electrification project began two years ago. It had stalled for a prolonged period due to funding shortages and other issues. Recently, City Power secured funding from the Human Settlements Department to resume work.

He said because of space constraints within Vukani itself, the mini-substation had to be installed along 6th Avenue. This box is intended solely to supply electricity to Vukani residents, who have long depended on unsafe informal connections.

Despite the councillor’s efforts to correct the record on the spot, confusion persisted. The project, already delayed for years by financial hurdles, has now been paused again. Ngwenya instructed the project manager to hold off until the tensions were resolved.

Vukani resident Rendani Makhado, frustrated by yet another setback, said the informal settlement’s residents felt compelled to defend the project. “We were obviously going to come out in numbers as Vukani residents because we have nothing to do with both the 6th and 7th Avenue boxes.”

As of now, the Vukani project remains on hold amid the confusion, leaving both informal settlement dwellers and formal avenue residents in continued uncertainty.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!