POWER OUTAGES - Petition to the COGTA Parliamentary Committee, the Gauteng MEC for COGTA, MMC for Water and Energy, the City Manager of Ekurhuleni, and the EMM HOD for Electricity and Finances

We, the residents of the LamDel Residents Association, the official registered Residents Association for the area, as well as the surrounding areas of Ward 35 and 39 in The City of Ekurhuleni;  hereby petition the COGTA Parliamentary Committee, the Gauteng MEC for COGTA, Mr Lebogang Isaac Maile; the MMC for Water and Energy in the City of Ekurhuleni, Cllr Tiisetso Nketle; The  City Manager for Ekurhuleni, Dr. Imogen Mashazi; as well as the EMM HOD for Electricity and the HOD of Finance in The City of Ekurhuleni. 

We have ongoing problems with streetlights not being repaired for months on end and power outages, often resulting in days without power which has a direct effect on our area, businesses, and Residents.

We find this situation unbearable and it is impacting on the social and economic wellbeing of our community.

There are several schools and pre-schools in our area, also places of care like children's homes, old age, and care facilities, not to mention places of worship. These along with the businesses and residents of the area are deeply affected by the power outages, which result in loss of business and  income, food items losses, electronic equipment, and appliances damages and severely compromising the well-being and care of the sick, elderly and frail.

Crime stats have also shown a steep increase relating to crime in our area.  Our residents have experienced this first-hand, with house breaking and robberies felt across the community.  We believe that being days without power, months without streetlights, and security systems failing as a result and this is an underlying cause of the spike in crime.

Our Environment is severely impacted when generators run for hours on end.

In addition to the power issues and part of the frustration is that, of late, there is an increase in the lack of communication and response from the Germiston Energy Department.  Requests for feedback, update and turnaround times are disregarded.  Often hours or days go by without any feedback forthcoming from the Energy Team.  This is exacerbating the situation.  If residents are told what the issues are and expected restoration times, they can manage their own arrangements and expectations.

We are hence with calling on the above-mentioned officials to urgently intervene and resolve the ongoing power outages and the communication issues in our areas. We furthermore request a full situational report, corrective action plans and a maintenance report.

We additionally request that for every day that the residents have been without power, Council needs to credit the accounts of the resident affected and swiftly resolve all the subsequent damages, losses and/or third-party claims submitted by residents.

We can no longer be held hostage by the Energy Department staff and the City of Ekurhuleni.

On behalf of the LamDel Residents Association

LamDel Residents Association    Contact the author of the petition