Blind people in Regents Park tired of power cuts

RESIDENTS of Johannesburg Society for the Blind (JSB) in Regents Park are fed-up with the power cuts they have been experiencing.

According to residents, in a space of four weeks, they have experienced blackout four times.

What hurts the residents is the recent blackout which left them stranded as they couldn’t cook or bath.

Fortunately, Ward 57 councillor, Faeeza Chame came to their aid and provided them with food.

Residents told the COURIER they do understand electricity will go off sometimes but they need to be notified as some residents are on insulin which needs to be refrigerated.

Residents claim they are paying rent every month so the reason behind their power cut is unknown.

One of the residents who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said: “It is painful to be treated in this manner. We all need to be respected like other people. If there is a problem we need to be told so we can quickly make alternative plans.”

Chame said she and her team had to cook for the blind as they were without electricity.

“I just hope the managers of JSB can sort this issue out. It’s not fair for blind people to suffer in this manner. After all, they pay rent on time every month,” said Chame.

Nkosana Kubheka, JSB manager said the board of directors will meet soon and try solve the matter. “As for power cuts, it’s not us who cut it, it is City Power,” said Kubheka.

City Power couldn’t be reached for comment.