Residents take action
Ezibeleni folk blame power fluctuations for damage of appliances and seek legal advice
CHANCELE residents in Ezibeleni are up in arms and have sought legal advice on how to get Lukhanji Municipality to replace electrical appliances which exploded, apparently following infrastructural repairs in the area, causing damage worth thousands of rands.
Spokesman for the residents Nkosikho Ntolosi said the incident happened on April 13 around 9pm after an electricity outage. He said Lukhanji electricians worked on the electrical poles and power was restored.
“When people asked their neighbours about exploding bulbs and electrical appliances it became clear the entire area was affected by the same thing.
“We reported the matter and [technical services portfolio head] councillor [Mzukisi] Gwantshu came to speak to us but we sent him back when he could not provide answers.”
He said Gwantshu came back on the same day with officials from the directorate.
“They admitted to us it was their fault and said they would check with the municipal insurance but it has been over a month now that they have been quiet.
“We want them to repair, replace or compensate us for our appliances.”
Ntolosi said the municipality had promised to go door to door to compile the list of appliances that had been damaged.
He claimed residents were told the problem could have been caused by illegal connections.
“But we told them the area has had electricity since the time of the homelands and we have never had this problem.”
Lukhanji communications officer Gcobani Msindwana said the local authority was experiencing electricity problems due to ageing infrastructure, especially in Ezibeleni.
A problem existed with the municipal network neutral feeder to the main line.
The municipal master plan was currently being implemented as approved by council.
According to Msindwana, Lukhanji had nine qualified electricians and one technician while a consultant company was working with the municipality.
Asked if the municipality would take responsibility for the Chancele incident, Msindwana answered that it would not, as it was an accident.
“The municipal bylaw states that the municipality shall not be liable for any loss or damage, direct or consequential, suffered or sustained by a consumer as a result of or rising from the cessation, interruption or any other abnormality of supply of electricity unless caused by negligence on the part of the municipality and in this case this is not the case.”
High voltage could be caused by illegal connections which resulted in an unbalanced load on the network, causing damage to fuses, lines, switch gears and transformers.
“After a meeting with Chancele residents, we sent our revenue enhancement section to inspect houses in the area and some were found to be illegally connected.
“During our inspection, our staff were stopped by residents warning them that if they did not stop the inspection, residents would pelt them with stones. As a result we could not complete the task,” Msindwana said.