The City appoints security detail to accompany electricity staff and contractors while attending to repair work in some areas. However, it is not always possible for security or the South African Police Service (SAPS) to assist our staff. Criminals then see this as an opportunity to strike while staff are attending to their work.

While the City remains committed to providing services to all areas in the metro, the safety of members of staff and contractors remains of utmost consideration.

‘We cannot allow criminals to hold our communities hostage any longer and we appeal to residents to report these perpetrators to the SAPS. Some areas in the metro are severely impacted by incidents of electricity theft and vandalism and the electricity infrastructure in these areas often needs to be repaired and replaced. When our staff and contractors are attacked and intimidated, residents are impacted the most.

‘Last month, City electricity staff were attacked and robbed of their cell phones and tools in the Philippi farm area. A City staff member suffered cuts to his hand leaving him traumatised and the vehicle damaged. On a separate occasion in Valhalla Park, but sadly on the same day, a ladder was forcefully taken from a staff member while carrying out maintenance work in the area.

‘These actions directly affect our residents as staff often need to withdraw from the area. This of course has a ripple effect on service, but it is important for us to give this glimpse into a day in the life of our service delivery staff and the challenges that they face.

‘The City’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department will continue to monitor the situation and all hotspot areas, and we once again urge residents to help us bring an end to these actions by reporting incidents to the SAPS and City,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

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