‘We have finally decided to take matters into our own hands’ say Rabie Ridge residents
Residents took to the streets to express their frustration at City Power's poor service delivery.
A week-long power outage culminated in a community protest and a rain of bullets in the community of Rabie Ridge.
Residents blocked the roads with bricks and burning tyres in response to prolonged electricity disruptions and a current power outage that has lasted nearly a week.
Read more: UPDATE: Police open fire on protesting Rabie Ridge residents
According to resident Nicolene Phaho, irregular power outages have left the community without basic necessities such as heating and lighting, adding to the community’s service delivery struggles.
Phaho also attributes their problems with electricity to City Power’s technicians, stating that: “They’ll send two people and you’ll see them having their lunch and dragging their feet.”
Phaho says in the past, community members have been forced to throw away food that has gone off due to week-long power outages.
“We have parents that need their medication refrigerated, and there are schools that can’t function without electricity,” she said.
According to Phaho, while the matter has been reported to councillors, no action has been taken.
Also read: Mayibuye One residents protest after enduring a frustrating five-day power outage
“We have done our due diligence, but nothing is happening. We have councillors that are living here, but they are not bothered because they have solar panels. They are comfortable. Their children don’t even go to school here, so why should they be bothered?” said Phaho.
Phaho expressed her frustration at City Power’s lacklustre service delivery, stating that the protest was the community’s attempt at gaining their attention.
“This issue has been ongoing. There are houses in extension 1 that have not had electricity since Saturday. If you complain, they will tell you that there is no loadshedding. You can’t even complain because the system doesn’t report anything. If you complain they will tell you it’s late or rainy, so they can’t do anything. We are not prioritised,” vented Phaho.
Related article: UPDATE: Police open fire on protesting Rabie Ridge residents
The community is demanding that they be removed from City Power’s supply grid.
“Residents in Tembisa don’t have these problems because they don’t fall under City Power. Let’s rather fall under Ekhurleni because, clearly, they have more confident councillors,” she said.
The community is also demanding the replacement of damaged electrical cables.
Police arrived at the scene to disperse the protesting crowd, however matters escalated leading to the police opening fire at residents.
No casualties have been reported.
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