Bedfordview resident Loren Koutsouvelis’ problems with an electricity cut off dates back to November 2016.
Koutsouvelis said on November 3, 2016, her power was cut due to an outstanding amount and she sent a swift payment to ensure that her electricity would be back on.
The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) sent a technician to re-connect her electricity.
After the technician had left, Koutsouvelis said she heard a huge bang and numerous electrical outlets in her home had blown.
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“The garage door motor was completely melted. The alarm deployed from the power surge for about an hour.
“The light bulbs in the kitchen and the passage had blown up and were pitch black when shattered. To this day, our gate motor does not work,” said Koutsouvelis.
She said technicians returned the following day to reconnect and told her that the previous technician had failed to connect the earth cable causing the power surge.
Koutsouvelis said she received an affidavit and sent a public liability claim which was rejected due to her account being in arrears.
She appealed the rejection due to the damage after she had made payment.
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Koutsouvelis said her appeal was rejected as she was told that she was responsible to switch off all her appliances.
“Yet no appliances were damaged.”
The disconnection took place within a seven-day period, with her lights being cut off on November 3, 7 and 8.
She said she sent proof of payment each time.
Her electricity has been on since, however, she has received no conclusive outcome concerning her public liability claim.
She also contacted Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys regarding the matter.
“I am angry due to CoE having no protocol and my private legal costs are growing,” she said.
Themba Gadebe spokesperson for CoE said that Koutsouvelis’ claim was received and evaluated by council’s insurers based on information supplied by her and the report from the energy department.
“The energy department denies any wrongdoing when the disconnections and reconnections were done. Based on evaluation of the versions, one by Koutsouvelis and another by the energy department, the claim was rejected.”
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He said she was advised of the decision and the appeal process, which may include her supplying additional information.
“She accordingly supplied additional information. The insurers again rejected the claim on the basis that there was no substantive proof of wrongdoing on the side of the city,” said Gadebe.
Gadebe said Koutsouvelis can now attempt to recover her damages through the legal avenues available to her.
