By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-In-Chief
City Power has demolished two houses built on electricity infrastructures in Ext 7, Alex.
After residents in Far East were left with no power for unbearable days, the power utility had to make plans.
While they were demolishing the two houses, a further fault was discovered under a third house.
The third house in question is a double-story along the same stream.
“The community and authorities are discussing plans to demolish the double-storey house so that we can access the fault and repair it so that the residents can have electricity.
“Unfortunately, this has been the reason why the residents of Tsutsumane extension 7 and 8 spent several days without electricity.
“The outage was due to multiple cable faults which were located under about three informal houses built on top of the cable servitude,” said City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena.
Mangena further said the power utility was concerned about the current situation in Alexandra where people “are building or extending their houses on and under the electric network”.
He said that has delayed their technicians to locate the fault in order to repair.
“Unfortunately, this has been the reason why the residents of Tsutsumane Ext 7 & 8 spent several days without electricity.”
On Saturday two of the houses were demolished by the authorities and the community to enable City Power to access the cable fault and ensure the cables were exposed for repairs.
“Unfortunately this situation will further exarcebate the delays in the restoration of the Far East bank Distributor Ext 2.”
He said the issue of illegal structures built on top of, and under the electricity infrastructure has been raised before with the community.
“Unfortunately it is not only dangerous and illegal, but delays our work when we have to repair and do maintenance on the electricity infrastructure.
“City power appeals for communities to avoid building structures under power lines and on top of cables. The residents should report any illegal buildings to the authorities at the City of Joburg so that action can be taken before it’s too late.
“We will also engage JMPD, Buildings Control Department, Housing, and the SAPS about this problem of illegal structures encroaching the electricity network.
“We apologize for the inconvenience caused to the residents and, working with the Councillors, we will update the residents on progress after the structures have been demolished.
“We appeal to the residents to cooperate and allow City Power employees to work in the area to ensure speedy restoration of power,” he said.
