DA councillor Carl Mann in conjunction with City Power and Ward Governance hope to not only better the lives of the residents of the Princess Informal Settlement transit camp, but also curb electricity theft in Groblerspark.
Mann called a community meeting today with the residents of the transit camp, representatives of City Power as well as Ward Governance to discuss the exciting new project.
The substation on Van der Linde Street opposite the transit camp has long been used to make illegal electricity connections to, often causing the paying residents to not have electricity. Now Mann and City Power has decided to move this substation into the transit camp in order to supply these residents with electricity. The paying residents will now receive their electricity from another substation towards Corlett Avenue.
Mann said he hopes the transit camp residents will invest in protecting the substation and make sure it is not used for illegal connections. At the same time, he says, he hopes this will help the paying customers to not be affected by electricity theft.
According to him City Power can unfortunately not supply the settlement with electricity yet as it has not been formalised.
On a question from a community member as to time frames, Mann answered that as soon as a community liaison officer (CLO) has been appointed a deadline can be set.
Residents of the transit camp who would like to apply for the CLO position should hand in their CV’s no later than 12 noon on 18 March on the third floor of the Civic Centre on Christiaan de Wet Road. For more information contact Nandi Mpahlwa on 011 761 0291.
