Widespread strikes from City Power employees left thousands in the dark last week.
City Power employees downed tools on 4 September as they were unhappy about the new shift system that is being implemented. According to spokesperson of City Power Louis Pieterse private contractors had to be appointed to restore power in affected areas, as workers protested new shift rosters introduced to improve service delivery.
For Dirck Pont, owner of Amuse Café in Linden it was one of the worse days for business all year when the electricity went out on 4 September. “Business was open when the power went down but we only had a few candles. Most people left because the music died, some even left without paying because our card machine wasn’t working and the closest working ATM was in Victory Park. I was left with just two friends,” said Pont. Pont’s café was one of the few businesses open on Fifth Street the following day.
“People will just go to where there is electricity,” he says, “we are a live music venue, good thing we had an acoustic band playing that night. But if this continues other bands scheduled to play here won’t be able to perform because they play electric guitars. I don’t know what to do because people have already bought tickets to the planned shows. I’ve already paid the bands and because we don’t know when it will be back on I can’t know if I should keep promoting or not.”
For residents, the situation proved to be just as frustrating. Ward 89 councillor Ingrid Reinten was anxious to have the situation addressed. ” There is a mother in my area at home with a new baby and retirement villages with frail care units and no electricity. The longer it carries on the more people it affects.” Mahmood Cassim said on Northcliff Melville’s BBM group, “We’ve had no water since 11am 5 September. Joburg Water says the pump station used to pump water up to the reservoir on the Northcliff hill has no electricity, hence we have no water.”
Another member of the BBM group, Yolanda complained about her bulk monthly groceries going rotten as her fridge has been off.
Democratic Alliance shadow member of the Mayoral Committee for Infrastructure councillor, Denis Hunt warned residents and businesses to implement measures to protect electrical supply and equipment. “Putting the whole system back in place requires a considerable amount of skill and management and considerable damage can arise. Critical equipment directly exposed to the grid should be isolated. Store frozen food in a closed place and report any suspicious activity around cables to emergency numbers.”
Pont added, “It’s like we’re being held ransom. Why must I as a businessman and resident suffer?”
At the time of going to print, power was restored in Linden, but many other suburbs were still without power.
