VANDERBIJLPARK. – Tension flared as the department of electricity from Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) workers arrived to install new electricity prepaid metering system at Van Riebeeck flats near Stephenson area last week.
The residents were under the impression that they are going to be cut off electricity, they sought to resist the installation. It didn’t help that electricity personnel were escorted by the police and army.
A riot nearly ensued even though that was not the intention.
The flats ended up being connected to the new electricity system. Thereafter, residents were presented with new electricity cards. The residents will from now on, pay for their electricity.
ELM spokesperson, Chuchie Radebe said the army and police escorted the personnel because they had been violently rejected three previous times.
