Electricity Blackouts- E****wa Ext 2/Daveyton

Electricity Blackouts- E****wa/Daveyton

Week 1

I am a resident of the Townships in Ekurhuleni, E****wa Ext.02 (Formal Settlements) in Daveyton which lately experienced Eskom Electricity blackouts which I think is planned and coordinated. On the 07/08/2022 the community of E****wa Ext 7 and Ext 2 where told that Eskom will take electricity for two days, 10-11 August 2022 and did it happen and as a concerned resident I called the Eskom customer Centre on 11 August 2022 at around 19h00 to 20h00 and was told nothing is been planned for the area and technicians will only attend this matter in the morning cause they knock off 16h00. The electricity was indeed reinstated on 12 August 2022 at around 09h00 in the morning. I was given a reference number for my call.

Week 2

On the 14 August 2022 again the was information circulating that Eskom will apply blackouts on the same areas for three days ( E****wa Ext 02 and 07) and indeed it happened from 17 - 18 August 2022 and for this two days the community took to the streets blocking access to the area and nearly vandalized the power station next to the Caltex Garage and there was also information going around as an when people demonstrate on the streets that this is because of the current municipality leadership in Ekhurhuleni that cut the electricity in this areas, funny enough for E****wa Ext 2 not all the residents are experiencing this blackouts I can say out 300 house only 200 houses don't have electricity. We all use prepaid meter boxes and we buy electricity all ourselves directly from Eskom not from the municipality and if Eskom has an issue with a particular household it must deal with that particular household directly not cut supply for everyone in those two areas. The reference number was *** for the call to Eskom.

Week 3

24 - 25 August 2022, I made a call again at 19h00 – 20h00 in the evening after our area did not have electricity the entire day on 24 August 2022 to find out what could be the problem because I saw the previous day lots of Eskom cars at E****wa Ext 7 which I presume was for ******* connections or ******* electricity coupons and indeed I heard from people from that area that some meter boxes were removed on the said day. I was told nothing is planned for loading shedding in our area including E****wa Ext 7 and the matter will be addressed the following day (25 August 2022). I made a follow up on 25 August 2022 using my reference no: *** and shortly I received a sms that says (Eskom Ref *** Dear Customer, Power should be restored as per field staff. If your power is not on please report again) I checked with my neighbours because I was at work at that time (12:03 pm) and the electricity was not back/on and one of the Eskom technicians come to my place told them that they will restore electricity tomorrow the 26 August 2022 because they are still busy addressing ******* connections or ******* electricity coupons at E****wa Ext 7 which was not the case because the place is next to my place of work and did not see any Eskom car(s) around. I immediately call the customer care centre gave them my reference no: *** and read the sms as sent to my phone and I was told that no one was found in my place although my report was saying part of E****wa Ext 2 was without electricity as usual while the other part was on. I immediately asked the consultant, ``What is the policy on ******* connections, is there anywhere stating that if Eskom suspects that a particular household is not buying electricity or *******ly connected to the creed they switch off everyone in the area. And what criteria was used to switch on part of E****wa Ext 2 and leave the bulk of the houses in the dark. I did not get the answer why and how was that implemented instead I was given another reference no: ***, this clearly indicates to me that there is foul play or something political is at play here, am writing this complain so that someone who is in authority can assist us as Eskom customers when those who have the privilege to provide services to the residents must do so without failure because this is exactly what they are paid to do not to abuse their position of power but always be guided by the company laws/policies.

I hope and trust that my plea will receive utmost attention by those who are in power and a speedily resolution to this matter may be found, what is the point of staying in formal settlement if you’re going to be treated like an informal settlement which by the way we have some next to N12 E****wa off ramp who are *******ly connected to the creed and as write this review their lights are on and nothing is been done by those in authority. Are we promoting lawlessness or perpetuating community strikes that are politically motivated in the name of Eskom or what?

All I need is help for the community of E****wa Ext 2 and 7, thus all and let those who are guilty be dealt with the correct way and those who follow rules be treated in the right way as well.