After years without electricity, a couple of informal settlements in the City of Ekurheleni have recently received electricity, and work to power up others is underway.
Among the settlements that recently received electricity is the one on Elsburg Road in Ramaphosa.
Power was finally installed in the area following a series of service delivery protests, which saw protesters repeatedly blockading Elsburg and Commissioner roads, demanding municipal’s attention.
These power protests saw many motorists taking the brunt of protesters who adopted guerilla-like tactics, pelting passing vehicles with hard objects during the early hours, while police were struggling to restore order.
The metro said it has budgeted R1.05-billion in the current financial year for the electrification of informal settlements.
Other informal settlements that have recently received electricity include Duduza North informal settlement (Ward102), Emandleni informal settlement (Ward 29), Ekuthuleni informal settlement and Mayfield Extension Six in Zenzele (Ward 96).
In Boksburg alone, thousands of informal settlement residents have been struggling with no power – with some connected illegally to the power grid, overloading the neighbouring formalised areas.
These include Angelo, Delmore, Jerusalem, Boksburg East Station, Blue Sky, Joe Slovo and Kalamazoo informal settlements.
Construction continues
According to Ekurhuleni metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, the electrification of the Zamani informal settlement in Duduza near Nigel has started. Work already done includes the installation of electric poles in residents’ yards.
“The electrification project is set to light up over 1 000 households and it has created over 100 temporary jobs for the locals. The project is set to be completed in March 2022.”
Residents of Zamani have been struggling with no power since the settlement was established in 2000. Now, residents of the area are eagerly waiting for the lights to be switched on.
A resident, Zolani Magwaza, said he is over the moon with the development. “I cannot wait to have access to a proper supply of electricity in my house without having to buy electricity illegally from our neighbours who assist us to have electricity for the basic needs,” said Magwaza.
Also Read: Protest: Drivers warned to be vigilant while driving along Commissioner and Elsburg roads
Also Read: Avoid Elsburg Road as protesters demand electricity
