Cape Town - Recurring power outages in Delft have reached new heights, with residents giving up hope on Eskom.
Ward councillor Dineo Masiu said since May at least 10 entire streets have been affected by electricity-related issues, and in some parts of the suburb, residents already expect their power to trip at certain times of the day.
Mother-of-two Natasha Haricombe lives with her sons and father in Voorbrug and said every time the electricity trips, they lose food supplies.
Their electricity box became faulty last week – the second time after being off for two weeks around two months ago.
She said she struggled for days to get an Eskom technician to come out to them, but she was contacted this week after Cape Times queries.
She said the constant back and forth with Eskom made her feel as though she had been “pie’d off”.
“One of my neighbours experienced the same thing, they called Eskom’s line but couldn’t get through. I gave them the numbers I had.
“I was livid and stressed the first time it was off for so long. It felt like they were pie-ing me off [dismissing me],” she said.
Eskom did not respond to requests for comment by deadline this week.
Masiu said land invasions have impacted on the supply of electricity to residents, with her receiving daily complaints from residents.
Masiu said as illegal land invaders continued to steal electricity, more and more pressure was being put on electricity boxes.
In one section where electricity supply constantly has to be fixed, Masiu said residents already expect the power to trip between 5pm and 7pm as that’s when people get home from work.
She said she’s had threats on her life as residents blame the City for Eskom’s failures.
“Eskom is a national government entity, it is beyond our (City) control.
“Electricity boxes trip and blow as they are being overpowered from illegal land invasions.
“I can understand how the residents are feeling,” Masiu said.
Cape Times