SEBOKENG.- National Electricity supplier, Eskom, has said that it is aware of the power supply challenges affecting the community of Zone 13 in Sebokeng.

This follows the constant failure of a transformer that supplies the area. Food has been spoiled, learners cannot study, and crime has risen in Zone 13.

This is because of continued power outages, due to what the community believes is a transformer that can no longer handle the electricity demand in the area. Residents are demanding action from Eskom, and the Democratic Alliance (DA) Emfuleni Central Constituency has joined the fray and formally submitted a petition to Eskom, demanding the immediate installation of a new transformer in Zone 13, following months of what it termed, “prolonged electricity outages that continue to cripple the community.”

Through its Emfuleni Central Political Head Dady Mollo, the party said that despite residents having complied with all the requirements set out by Eskom, they remain without a stable electricity supply. Mollo said that the extended power outages have had serious and widespread consequences, including families being denied access to basic services, heating, and food security.

“Economic activity is stifled, jobs are at risk, and local development is stalled. Learners are unable to study or attend virtual classes, further deepening educational inequality. Poor lighting has contributed to rising crime levels, putting lives and property at risk. The DA’s petition was officially handed over to Mrs Makoma of Eskom. We expect a clear and time-bound response within 21 days,” said Mollo.

Upon Sedibeng Ster’s enquiry on the matter, Eskom said that the transformer supplying Zone 13 fails as a result of illegal activities.

“Instead of following the replacement process for failed infrastructure, which requires communities to pay the fines, the community resorted to purchasing their own transformers and illegally connecting them to our network. This occurred on three separate occasions, and each time those transformers also failed.”

Eskom further added that the community has since acknowledged that this approach is not sustainable and has agreed to pay the required fines and that the areas councillor has been engaged, and they (Eskom and the councillor), are working closely with the community.

“They have now reached the 60% payment threshold, which allows Eskom to begin the official replacement process. Before the work can commence, customers who are still illegally connected to the network must disconnect themselves. This will enable our technicians to safely proceed with installing smart meters, normalising the network, and installing the new transformer.”

The national electricity supplier ended that they are now awaiting the community’s compliance in disconnecting the illegal connections so that the work can commence.