RESIDENTS of Parkington Grove voiced their anger last week after illegal connections left them without electricity for eight straight days. Despite several reference numbers, calls and emails, the residents were left to fend for themselves. More than 20 residents met with Northglen News and voiced their discontent with the city’s lack of action. What’s more, the neighbouring informal settlement, which the illegal connections lead to, had electricity.

The residents said the electricity thieves had become so blatant, they made no effort to hide their work. Some of the wires ran across the road; other wires were strung through trees and some were left hanging from the electricity poles. René Johnson, said residents complained to the municipality regularly about the connections.

“Once the illegal connections are removed by officials, they are soon reconnected. I’m so angry the City has done nothing to help us. We’ve lost thousands of rands of groceries, some of the families with young children have been without hot showers and meals. Our security was compromised through the week; last week we woke up to find an intruder in our complex.

“Though the issue was eventually fixed, we are cautious because another illegal connection to the informal settlement will cause another power outage. The illegal connections have crossed wires on different phases which caused the metal in our homes to conduct electricity. I don’t have a problem that the settlement has power, but not at the expense of us. We pay rates and taxes, we are the ones that should have electricity. And what is worse, in the past, power surges have cost residents thousands in electrical appliances,” she said.