BETHAL – “I am more than mad, I am beyond boiling,” were the words of a speechless, disgusted, heartbroken and extremely emotional long-time Bethal resident.
“Hearing my husband fall and cry out in pain for help, was the pits for me.
“This cannot continue anymore! Enough is enough!”
The anonymous resident explained how her 65-year-old husband, who already has serious health problems, had fallen outside in the cold dark night on his way to switch on the generator.
“He is not the smallest person, I had to help him up and into the house. I could also not use my cell phone to call because there is always poor to no reception when the power goes off. This just needs to stop!”
Besides the physical pain, the couple, like many other residents, had the extra unnecessary expense of forking out R40 000 for a gas stove, geyser and bottles.
“We cannot cook or bath at night or even in early hours of the morning, because there is never electricity.
“We are continuously in the dark. We had to make the call and invest in gas so we can at least do the basics like cook and bath,” ended the resident.
But not everyone is in the position to invest in appliances like these, especially at a time when a pandemic like Covid-19 is not only taking lives, but businesses are reducing staff or closing down, leaving many without any income.
The Ridge Times recently reported on the loss businesses have incurred with equipment breaking down and having to buy generators.
Although the average household has at least a gas bottle with one plate on which to boil a pot of water, this is not the case for everyone, especially those who earn the minimum to no income.
Numerous locals have said the recentprotest in eMzinoni over the lack of electricity supply has led to the death of a woman who was collecting coal from a truck that overturned.
After rioters had gone on the attack it is said that the woman was knocked over by another truck when the driver tried to escape the riots.
One of the options is for residents to take Govan Mbeki Municipality to court, however this is a very costly process and can take a while. The costs can go into the hundreds of thousands of rands once it reaches High Court, which could result in an even more costly and lengthy process.
The Bethal and eMzinoni Community for Services (Becs) is continuously updating residents on their meetings with accountants and lawyers, as well as the way forward with regards to crowd funding which will be needed in order for legal action to continue.
Out of 5 000 possible community members only 120 have contributed towards the cause, 39 are contributors from businesses and 81 from private individuals.
“We sincerely appreciate all who have supported our cause financially,” said Mr Ziyaad Dangor, media spokesman for Becs.
However, more money will be needed.
“Our attorneys assured us of their commitment to our cause while knowing the absolute urgency thereof,” ended Mr Dangor
If you want to make a contribution, the banking details are as follows:
First National Bank,
Branch code: 210554
Type: Current/Cheque Account,
Account number: 62856257277,
Account name: Bethal and eMzinoni Community Services Association,
Ref: Date of birth and Surname (eg 011287 Peterson).
Also read: Businesses in Bethal resort to other means of electricity
