City to help speed-up legal electrification process
The protest in Zandspruit has died out
Protest action in Zandspruit seems to have ceased, as reports this morning (Wednesday, 17 October) suggest that traffic is flowing smoothly on all affected roads.
Beyers Naudé Drive, and Bothma, Peter and Marina Roads were all blockaded for the past two days, as residents went on the rampage because of illegal connections, which led to the death of two children aged 11 and 15. The City sent its sincere condolences to the friends and families when they met with the leaders of Zandspruit on 16 October.
According to a press release issued by the MMC for Economic Development and Ward 97 councillor, Leah Knott, in the City’s discussion with community leaders, the people of Zandspruit requested that the City assist in ensuring the safety of the community by installing safe electricity in the area.
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“Under the previous administration, members of the community had sought assistance from the ANC administration with little success. Despite their pleas to the previous administration, no action was taken by the City to submit the necessary applications for the electrification of the township. As a result, national government’s budget for electrifying the area was rolled over for a number of years.”
“Indeed, the area in question is one which is operated by Eskom and will require the Department of Energy and Eskom to provide assistance. Whilst the City is committed to assisting our residents where possible, ultimately, the primary responsibility for electrification in Zandspruit rests with Eskom and the Department of Energy,” the press release read.
It continued, “Under the new administration, the City had begun engagements with Eskom with the view of electrifying Zandspruit. … [I]n September, the City submitted the necessary applications to begin the process of providing electrification to the area.”
“During the engagement, the City committed to assisting the residents by engaging with Eskom in order to fast-track the process of electrifying the area.”
“Over and above this, City Power visited the area to disconnect illegal connections to the City Power grid which lie on the outskirts of the community, in a bid to improve the safety of the area”.
The City has also committed to engaging with community leaders at a follow-up meeting on 26 October 2018. The meeting will include all stakeholders in the project.
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