Johannesburg - Eskom’s woes continue to affect businesses and hamper ordinary people's lives.
While the power utility struggles to keep the lights on but demands people settle their bills, many are left frustrated by its pitiful service.
Tenants in a block of flats in Orlando East, Soweto, have been in the dark for a month now following a cut-off to their power supply by Eskom.
Phillip Gumbi, the owner of the five-unit flat on Sofasonke Street near Kupane Funerals, made his way to the Eskom Diepkloof offices last month and was told to pay a reconnection fee of R6 052.
Upon making that payment, he was allegedly whipped with a R18 000 bill to settle.
“I paid the R6 052 they needed me to pay. I was provided with a reference number. After I made that payment I was told there was a further R18 000 that needs to be paid. I don’t know where it comes from and the (Eskom) office was not clear as to why I need to pay R18 000. I’ve got tenants who are complaining and I’ve been fighting this battle for a month now,” he said.
Tenants pay R1 200 worth of rent every month.
Power was cut off on July 14, 2022. Taking a walk to the next street, Gumbi said the power connecting to his block of flats has been cut off on the meter box, while neighbouring homes had power; showing bridged prepaid meters.
“I need my problem fixed so tenants in the flats can have their power restored because I don’t want to be forced to turn to the fixers for help because Eskom failed to address the problem. Many people do that,” he said.
One of the tenants who occupy a rented room said they’ve had no choice but to use a gas stove to cook and for warm water.
“This has been very frustrating for us. It is also costly to get by because we are tenants who pay rent and we don’t know what is going on. We haven’t had power for a month and the reasons are not clear,” said Simamkele Caza who’s been living there for a year.
Ward 30 councillor, Mohau Molefe, said it was important for Eskom to engage with community members as they are the customers.
“Community members shouldn’t have to feel let down by the parastatal. It is clear when he paid the R6 052 that the customer is willing to cooperate but to be given an unclear bill to the customer does not solve the problem. It’s a matter that must be looked into by them (Eskom),” he said.
The power utility did not respond to questions from Sunday Independent.