Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), Mr Samuel Modiba, confirmed that the contractor was also issued with a penalty in line with the energy tariff schedule.
On June 11 a number of northern Germiston suburbs including Meadowdale, Meadowbrook, Sunnyridge, Marlands, Rustivia and Sunnyrock were left without power till the following day.
At the time the only explanation given was that a contractor had damaged electricity cables.
In the July 3 edition of the NEWS it was reported that ward 19 councillor, Clr Graham Gersbach, insisted council give him answers as to why hundreds of northern Germiston residents have to endure frequent and long periods without water and electricity.
At the time of going to print the NEWS did not receive comment on the questions asked of council.
In the July 10 edition of the NEWS, council said repairs to a problematic pump station could solve the plague of power outages and water cuts in the area.
Mr Modiba said electric pump motors are directly connected to electricity supplying the area.
“When power goes off, the motor stops working. When pumps stop working, there is no water supply into the tower and eventually the tower goes empty resulting in water outages in the area,” Mr Modiba said.
He added that a contractor had been employed to replace the stolen cables.
In an attempt to ensure there are no future break-ins at the property, the EMM reinforced the locking mechanism at the front door, closed the back door with brickwork and installed burglar proofing on windows.
“We have also installed razor wire all around the fence and installed an alarm system,” Mr Modiba said.
