Illegal power connections blamed for plight

LARGE-SCALE illegal electricity connections have repeatedly tripped supply to the detriment of all Tsunami residents, Mayco member for human settlements Benedicta van Minnen says.

Residents from the Tsunami informal settlement in Delft barricaded parts of the N2 and R300 on Wednesday protesting for the City to provide electricity.

A truck and a Golden Arrow bus were stoned and torched. Three people were arrested and charged with public violence. Police officers were also stoned.

Residents said they did not have electricity for the past eight months.

Van Minnen said illegal connections made electrification of Tsunami an impossible challenge.

“However, while we recognise the right of our residents to protest, we absolutely condemn the use of violence. This has a severely negative impact on service delivery for the broader community and it will not get the protesters anywhere.”

She said

the

City

has been in constant engagement with residents about service delivery in general.

“We remain committed to finding a reasonable, fair and operationally possible solution to this matter.”

Protester Nandipha Khuzwayo said it was not intended for the situation to get out of control.

“We’ve held countless and fruitless community meetings. We went to the N2 where everyone could see and feel our pain,” she said.

Resident Lulama Nguzo said they wanted the City to feel their plight.

“We did not mean to destroy anything. But we wanted to voice our dissatisfaction. Imagine not having electricity, which is a basic human right, for eight months. Is that not a humiliation?” he asked.

He vowed they would protest until they get electricity. Gabs spokesperson Bronwen Dyke said staff affected by the attack on the bus were shocked and have not yet returned to work.

“Our company social worker is available to them should they need any counselling,” she said.