Westdene residents to sue City power
WESTDENE – Residents has vowed to take action against City Power's alleged negligence in allowing their equipment to be damaged.
Chairperson of Sector Crime Forum Mark Napier say they are considering a class action lawsuit against City Power.
Dissatisfied residents say they are fed up with City Power’s negligence in allowing the substations to be vandalised and their electrical equipment to be damaged.
“Residents have been calling me and complaining about power surges for many years now,” said Napier.
“For each substation that is broken into, a lot of houses are being affected – there is no security and it seems like City Power is not going to do anything about it,” he said.
Napier said in 2012 he did a survey where he photographed substations, in an attempt to reveal that they are not secured.
“The lack of security at power boxes has led to power surges in residents’ homes, causing damage to their appliances and costing them a lot of money,” he said.
Concerned Residents of Westdene (CROW) member Frikkie Botes agreed and said he has been requesting City Power to upgrade their security and for the last five years, nothing has been done. Botes said a total of 400 houses in the area have been affected. Botes and Napier are currently acting on behalf of the residents.
Both men said the motivation behind the lawsuit is to force City Power to do its job, because they are liable for what is happening.
“This is because they don’t lock their power boxes and equipment, which is their responsibility. Even a child can open their locks which is only a tightened nut. All cable thieves walk around with sockets sets to open these boxes,” said Botes.
He also added that they are currently in talks with a lawyer about finding a way forward and so far 42 residents are on board, and they need 200 more residents to join in.
Questions have been sent to City Power and comment is awaited.
Details: Frikkiebotes@yahoo.com
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