Eldoraigne stands together amid 6-day power outage

A portion of Eldoraigne is in it’s sixth day without power following delayed repairs in the area.

The outage began on Saturday, July 22 with supply to two-thirds of properties being restored by Sunday afternoon.

The remaining streets have been without power since, with the ongoing wildcat strikes and municipal worker protest action in Centurion affecting service restoration.

Residents said that the outage has been frustrating for the community, already causing them to lose food.

They also said that the outage has affected many in the neighbourhood, but especially elderly people, who suffer as they can’t cook food and bath.

Ward councillor Cindy Billson shared that on Tuesday, workers were again blocked from leaving the depot to fix two remaining components that were behind the outage.

Billson said that there was a break in the flow of electricity from the Eldoraigne substation with a fault on the corner of Rabie Road and Van der Merwe Avenue.

The area that is still affected was due to an “abnormality” on the corner of Piet Hugo Street and Ruimte Road.

She said that due to the difficulties with the depot, assistance was being sourced from a different region.

Billson said that the following streets were still experiencing issues:

– Henri

– Van Der Merwe

– Martha

– Rabie

– De Hoeve

– Weavind

“I am getting no feedback from the electricity department on what they are doing to resolve this, I have been involving everyone possible,” Billson told residents.

She said that she was worried that the residents were being severely impacted by losing food and appliances due to the outage.

In the meantime, residents with power have offered to help those without.

Resident Isa van Aardt said that the upper section of Van der Merwe Avenue where she stays has power.

She said that she offered to help her neighbours with charging for devices, and showers, and even invited community members to simply get a hot coffee or tea.

“It is wonderful to see how people in our group were reaching out to those with no power,” said Van Aardt.

Another resident who wished to remain anonymous to avoid recognition for their assistance told Rekord that their offer still stands.

“All we could think of was what we would need in such a situation – we are fortunate enough to at least have a generator.

“If anyone else needs assistance to wash clothing, especially people with babies or kids, we are here,” said the resident.

Another resident, Candice Naude, said that it was frustrating, but community members have helped each other make it through the time.

“There was a lady last night that offered us gas bottles, and then she offered us hot showers.

“So last night we were able to have our first hot shower since this whole thing started.

“I’ve been bathing my son in hot water that I bring from work. It’s been rough, but it has really helped having a community that helps each other.”

Here’s the updated Tshwane load shedding schedule for Thursday

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