DEAR Editor,-
I wonder how many readers know of illegal electric connections that are becoming more and more prevalent across South Africa and are absolutely rife here in Uvongo.
For the last three weeks the residents of Peter Road in Uvongo have been trying to stop an illegal connection from several electric boxes on this road. The wires used are fencing wires with no insulation. The connection has been made by breaking into the box and the connection runs under the freeway using existing conduit to the informal settlement across the freeway.
These people are:
1 Not paying for the electricity they are stealing.
2 The wires are not insulated and are lying all over the bush, between the road and the freeway and beyond. I tried to report this to the so-called crime line, but there is no reply after 5pm and at weekends because, in South Africa, crime only happens during business hours and not weekends or public holidays.
3 I managed to raise a response on Monday morning from a man who stated he was in Midrand and did not know what I was talking about. He also told me that wires coming from a box were not an illegal connection but unauthorised power usage. Clearly there is a big difference and all criminal charges must then be dropped and the unauthorised users must be given free access to electricity, for which we must then pay. He also told me I must report this to our local technical unit at my own airtime expense.
4 On contacting the customer care line I finally raised someone who came to carry out an inspection, only to be told that there is nothing to be done as Eskom has received threats from people who are responsible for these connections, and are not willing to put their staff at risk.
5 Bear in mind that the connection is extremely dangerous as wires are not insulated, lying on the grass where any unsuspecting contract grass cutter, pedestrian, animal or child will die if walking over the wires.
Does anyone actually care?
I am writing this in desperation, since no one seems to care, because some one will die. Eskom will be held accountable and I want it on record that it has known about the illegal connection for weeks and has done absolutely nothing to safeguard the boxes concerned. Eskom, be warned. I feel it is a disgrace that this government protects the criminal and punishes the innocent.
M BLACKLER
Uvongo
