Illegal connections cause blackouts

OSLO BEACH residents, especially those staying close to Commercial Road, have been experiencing regular blackouts of late.

Residents claim that the blackouts are caused by illegal electricity connections taking place at 38 Commercial Road.

The property is currently leased out to some 60 students from Esayidi FET College.

It is alleged that the owner of this property does not pay the electricity bill even though each student pays rent. So students have resulted to illegally reconnecting the electricity supply when it is cut off.

Residents of Oslo Beach are constantly having their power supply cut as a result of an overload caused by the illegal connections.

They claim they have reported the incidents to the municipality on numerous occasions, but the Hibiscus Coast Municipality hasn’t reacted.

“This is not only a problem for residents and nearby businesses, but it is also dangerous for the students who are doing the illegal connections,” said a concerned resident.

Mr Linda Mdzinwa, who is leasing out the property, has other students staying in other areas where similar complaints have been laid against him, regarding the way he accommodates the students.

In Ramsgate he and his students were evicted from a property in Alford Road due to overcrowding. He had 16 students sharing a house which could only occupy six people.

When the Herald contacted Mr Mdzinwa, he said he had nothing to do with the illegal connections.

“Someone is trying to sabotage my business. I have statements to prove that I pay the electricity bill,” he said. He even promised that he would fax the proof. However, no payment receipts were received prior to going to press.

HCM spokesman Simon Soboyisa said the municipality will conduct its own investigation.

“As we can see that there are several parties and issues involved, we will communicate our findings once the investigations are complete,” he said.