Over 100 homes left without power for over 50 days

Over 100 homes in Ext 10 in Mapleton have been left without power since January 29 when a transformer exploded.

Community leader Sakhile Xaba told Boksburg Advertiser that their efforts to get the metro to replace the transformer and restore power have been in vain.

“We have had to throw away our food in fridges. We are a community of poor people, who live hand-to-mouth in overcrowded RDPs and we don’t have the money to buy food every day. No one seems to care. We are victims of internal political battles between the ANC/EFF-led coalition government.”

Xaba pointed out that the metro removed the damaged transformer and left the live wires lying there, posing a serious danger to unsuspecting children.
“We have had to pay some residents to keep guard over the power cable left at the mercy of copper cable thieves. But now we have run out of money to pay those people,” said Xaba.

The metro has not yet responded to the Advertiser’s request for comment.
Efforts to get a comment from Ward 95 Councillor Madlala Khehla Phillip proved unsuccessful as his phone rang unanswered when the Advertiser repeatedly tried to get hold of him on Monday and Tuesday.

Residents have turned to Ward 45 Clr Sine Themba Matiwane for help.
Matiwane visited the area and engaged with the affected residents, before escalating the matter to the relevant officials.
“I do feel for the residents because I know what it’s like to be without power just for one day. Now imagine nearly two months without power. The residents have been patient. So the department can still use the recently approved adjustment budget to address the problem,” said Matiwane.

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