Eskom has warned communities that have benefited from the installation of new transformers in Gauteng, that if illegal connections cause its devices to fail, chances of the power utility replacing the device will be slim.
While residents are thrilled to get electricity, they are asking themselves where they will get the money to pay for power as they say they lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an interview with TimesLIVE Premium, Gauteng Eskom spokesperson Amanda Qithi said the transformers had been failing frequently in the province due to illegal connections and customers bypassing their meters.
“When a transformer fails, we conduct an audit to determine the cause of the failure. What we pick up is that customers illegally connect and buy electricity from ghost vendors. We then issue the customers with R500 fines per household.
“Customers must change their behaviour. Transformers do not just fail, it is because of the illegal connections. We cannot continue replacing them because that is not sustainable. It does not make business sense to replace the transformer if the customers have conducted illegal acts on it. We are asking people to report Eskom employees who are involved in illegal activities so we can have them arrested,” Qithi said.
Several townships have endured months, or even years, without electricity due to transformers failing because of illegal connections. Areas that are in the dark are mainly, Kagiso, parts of Soweto and Orange Farm.
All I am asking from the premier is for him to help us get jobs so we can provide for our families. If we are working we will be able to pay for electricity. If many of us are not working, as it is in this township, we will not be able to pay.
— Sandile Mabaso, 49, of Block 1 in Swaneville
On Tuesday, Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi launched an initiative with Eskom in Swaneville, Kagiso, where failed transformers will be replaced with new ones which use smart meters. A total of 41 transformers will be replaced in Kagiso — each one costing Eskom about R500,000 including labour and cables. Provincial government has set a three-week target for Eskom to complete the installation of transformers in Kagiso.
The province has more than 200 transformers that need to be replaced. Kagiso previously had prepaid meters, but residents simply connected to the transformers illegally.
Meanwhile, Eskom has hired contractors to help the power utility restore power in these townships.
While many Kagiso residents were relieved that power will be restored, some were concerned about their ability to pay for electricity.
Sandile Mabaso, 49, of Block 1 in Swaneville said he was elated that, after living without electricity for three years, he will finally be out of the dark.
“All I am asking from the premier is for him to help us get jobs so we can provide for our families. If we are working we will be able to pay for electricity. If many of us are not working, as it is in this township, we will not be able to pay. That will be a problem.”
Mabaso lost his job at a company that manufactured electric poles in Randfontein during Covid-19 pandemic. He has not been able to get any formal employment since then.
He has to provide for his wife and their three school-going children. He said living without electricity was a nightmare for the family.
“We have been using paraffin which is expensive, R44 for two litres which lasts for three days. We cannot do groceries like other families. We just buy meat to eat on that day. Every morning children have to bath and they need warm water. It has been really difficult,” Mabaso said.
His neighbour, Kgosietsile Madisakwane, 45, also lost his job as a delivery man. He has to provide for his wife and their four children.
“Provincial government must just provide us job opportunities. We are unemployed most of us here. We need to get jobs so that we can provide for our families. It is difficult, I am not working, my wife is not working and we are depending on a R350 grant,” Madisakwane said.
“They are bringing back electricity at a time when electricity units are expensive. If you buy electricity for R50 today, tomorrow it will be finished. That is what people who have power are telling us. If we do not have jobs and electricity is there, people will be tempted to do illegal things. So let us be assisted to get jobs so that we can buy electricity and provide for our families,” Madisakwane said.
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