HERMANUS – Residents of Zwelihle’s old township say they are stuck between those making illegal electrical connections and authorities disconnecting these illegal connections.
At times the residents of the oldest part of Zwelihle – the area around Lukhanyo Primary – have been left without power for days on end. This, they say, is because the municipality due to safety concerns often refuses to send in workers to repair damage as result of the illegal connections.
Overstrand Municipality has admitted that power failures, especially in the areas close to the Marikana and Dubai informal settlement in Zwelihle, are reported on a daily basis. This, says the municipality, is caused by illegal connections that trip the electricity supply.
“Since the safety of the workers must be taken into consideration, a rapid response to restore the power supply might not be possible,” said Overstrand Municipal Manager Coenie Groenewald.
A number of municipal workers have been injured in separate incidents in the past.
“Illegal electricity connections, cable theft, meter tampering and by-passing are an ongoing headache for the Overstrand Municipality,” says Groenewald. “The highly dangerous conditions caused by illegal connections cannot be emphasised enough. Theft of electricity is very dangerous for everyone – not just for the ones making connections, but for every person and animal within the illegal connection zone. Children are especially vulnerable. Some connections lie across roads and walkways where anyone passing, can easily be electrocuted.”
The municipality warned that the illegal connections pose a further risk, as they can make contact with roofs, gutters and washing lines, making these items able to conduct electricity. Residents say the municipality’s excuse that their workers are in danger when entering the area is just not good enough.
“What they are saying is that we will stay without power – this means our food will rot and we will suffer damage,” said one woman who wished to remain anonymous. “Why must residents who pay rates to the municipality suffer because of the wrongdoings of these people who make illegal connections? What’s worse is that residents of Marikana and Dubai are throwing stones at residents of Zwelihle when their illegal connections are cut.”
The woman and other residents who spoke to the Hermanus Times suggested the municipality find more viable options to address the problem of illegal electrical connections. More than one resident suggested electric poles be moved away from the edge of informal settlements and into the residential part of Zwelihle instead. The woman added: “The municipality will be forced to repair damaged cables and transformers again and again, wasting unnecessary money when they can instead resolve it once and for all.”
Residents also suggested the municipality should make use of the presence of the Public Order Police Unit, which is in the area to assist with lockdown operations.
Brigadier Donovan Heilbron, Overberg Police Cluster Commander, says this is not the main priority of the police at this time.
“Our primary objective is to ensure residents adhere to the lockdown regulations,” he stated. Heilbron said authorities had a meeting with community leaders from Zwelihle recently to discuss the issue. “An electrician was also present to explain the dangers of the illegal electrical connections,” he said.
“We are aware of threats being made against Law Enforcement officials. This has been referred to our Crime Intelligence Unit and it will be monitored. This translates as incitement to violence and we are treating it as an inquiry.”