Residents accuse one another of electricity theft.
“Instead of listening to what we were saying, they said the electricity belongs to Eskom and we should stop sniffing around people’s businesses.”
eMZINONI – Residents of Extension 2 are upset because of the electricity theft and illegal connections by Mandela residents.
They said this results in constant power failures in the area which put their lives on hold and negatively affect their businesses.
Ms Julia Mahlangu, local businesswomen, said they have reported the matter to the municipality but nothing has been done yet.
She said municipal officials came there, but did not do anything because the electricity poles are not stable.
“This is dangerous, what will happen if the poles fall into one of the houses?
“The nearby shacks do not have legal electricity connections, but they do have electricity.
“How is that possible?
“What is the municipality doing about this?
“We are paying electricity and water rates while others are living for free.”
This matter has resulted in conflict between the residents because some of the Extension 2 residents approached the Mandela Residents about the matter.
Ms Nomsa Nyandeni, resident, said: “We did not have a choice but to confront these people because what they are doing is unfair.
“We went to them peacefully, but it ended up in a huge conflict.
“Instead of listening to what we were saying, they said the electricity belongs to Eskom and we should stop sniffing around people’s businesses.”
Ms Nyandeni said they were threatened to with witchcraft by some of the shack dwellers.
A resident from the Mandela Section confirmed that where he is renting, electricity is illegally connected but it is not his business as he is a tenant.
He said only the municipality can solve this matter before something bad happens.
“I personally can not stand being harassed by the Extension 2 residents I am a tenant here and should talk to my landlord.”
