Johannesburg - Parts of Springs in Ekurhuleni were still plunged in darkness on Sunday night, with some residents having to make late-night trips to petrol stations to buy diesel for their generators.
Sunday night was the third that residents in the area were left without power or water as a result of cable theft and the collapse of an Eskom tower.
Lenasia, Eldorado Park, Klipspruit West, Kliptown, Nancefield and Devland, south of Joburg, had also been without power.
City Power spokesman Sol Masolo was not available for comment on his phone at the time of publication on Sunday night.
In Ekurhuleni, areas affected by water shortages as a result of the power failure were Selection Park, Geduld, Dal Fouche, Pollak Park and Wright Park and while the CBD had power, areas such as Springs Industrial Area, Fulcrum, New Era, Krugersrus and Reedville were without power.
On Sunday night, electricians were still working on site on the Eskom tower.
“It’s terrible!” Sanna Barnard, from Geduld said as she waited for her 10-litre plastic container to be filled with diesel at an Engen garage.
“We don’t even have water… we buy 5 litres at Pick n Pay. This is the second time today we’ve had to come buy diesel.
“Many people don’t have generators and can’t even make food. The poor are struggling the most,” Barnard said.
Ekurhuleni mayoral spokesman Themba Gadebe said water tankers had been sent to the affected areas.
Dez Cowley, a Selection Park resident, said the outages could not have come at a worse time.
“Especially with the cold, it’s really difficult. This (10-litre container) is just for the house. Tomorrow, I have to take a generator to work,” said the auto electrician.
“The problem becomes worse because you can’t cook, therefore, you have to buy food and it’s expensive. Today alone I’ve spent R200 on diesel, I have four children, one is 10 months old and we need hot water for her bottle,” he continued.
But Cowley acknowledged he had it better than most, who didn’t have generators.
“I’d rather pay the money for this diesel than another R1 000 to go buy more meat because the fridge is off and the food is going off.
“This (outage) is costing people a lot of money,” he added.
Gadebe said the municipality understood that it was very cold and it was exam time, and pupils needed electricity to study.
“We assure residents that all hands are on deck to restore both the power and water supply,” Gadebe said.
The Star