A neglected transformer in front of their house is causing the Ngwenya-family from Ext 18 in eMbalenhle sleepless nights.
According to a spokesman for the family, Mr Vusi Ngwenya, the municipality temporarily installed the transformer on the ground three years ago to replace one that had burned out.
He said the municipal workers promised to go back later and correctly install it, but it has never happened.
“We have been living in fear since 2018. This transformer always gives off fire sparks that sometimes reaches our house.”
Mr Ngwenya said the transformer had been left in the open and the family had to make a plan to fence it off.
“Children always want to play near it. We have to chase them away because it is so dangerous,”
The family is worried that this transformer will explode or catch fire like many others in the neighbourhood.
Mr Ngwenya said they had asked the municipality numerously to correctly install the transformer but to no avail.
The family wants the transformer removed in front of their yard because their lives are in danger.
Mr Donald Green, acting head of communication at Govan Mbeki Municipality, said the municipality apologised for the delay hoisting up the transformer.
He said the problem was the slow procurement processes and the municipality’s financial constraints.
“The municipality is facing many challenges, such as overloaded transformers that sometimes explode, especially at eMbalenhle, and the vandalising of municipal infrastructure that is costing the municipality millions of rand.
“This (the transformer in front of the Ngwenya’s yard) was done as a temporary measure for residents to have electricity, but unfortunately it has taken too long. We urge residents to not tamper with that transformer until the municipality installs it in the right place,” said Mr Green.
