Power utility Eskom says illegal connections, tampering of mini-substations, vandalism and theft are some of the reasons behind the nine-month blackout in Doornkop extension 4 in Soweto.
As such, Eskom says the residents should pay an upfront payment of R500 to have electricity restored in their area.
On Monday, Sowetan reported how at least 56 homes in Doornkop Ext 4 were plunged into darkness and their electricity not being restored due to damage to a local transformer in the area.
The story narrated the tale of how Amos Vilakazi enjoyed decent business with about 300 customers a week and making R3,000 in profit before it all fell apart nine months ago when the transformer blew up.
Gauteng Eskom spokesperson Amanda Qithi said the residents in the area are responsible for the transformer blowing up.
“Eskom in the recent months recorded an exponentially high number of failed mini-substations due to the network overloading as a result of illegal connections, meter bypasses and tampering, unauthorised operations on the electricity network, vandalism and theft of electrical equipment as well as purchasing electricity tokens from ghost vendors. Doornkop Extension 4 block 12 is one of the areas where we experienced such,” said Qithi.
Qithi said the transformer in the area will be fixed once the residents adhere to the replacement the state-owned entity has outlined to them. “In order to restore electricity in the area, Eskom has implemented a replacement or repair process which includes meter audits, the removal of illegal connections and tampering, disconnections of those who have contravened, issuance of reconnection charges which is R6,052.60,” said Qithi.
“The customers in the area failed to pay the settlement fines and therefore the transformer was not replaced. Subsequent to that, Eskom has once again engaged the customers on a deferred payment arrangement [DPA] where they [customers] are encouraged to enter into a six months payment arrangement to settle the reconnection charge of R6,052.60,” she said.
Qithi said the customers in the area should pay the initial R500 so that the transformer replacement process can be initiated.
“A threshold of 60% of the customers in the affected area have to make this R500 initial payment before the repair and replacement process can be implemented,” said Qithi.
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