By Everson Luhanga
- City Power workers were robbed again while fixing electricity cables in Alexandra, forcing them to stop repairs.
- The City has pulled workers out of the area before, after violent attacks during protests over power cuts.
City Power workers were robbed while fixing electricity cables in Alexandra’s River Park, forcing them to stop working on Thursday night.
The team only returned to work on Friday morning.
One of the workers said a group of men walked onto the site, threatened them and took their toolbox and personal belongings.
“At the time the suspects arrived and robbed us, a security guard had moved to buy something at a nearby shop. The men just came, intimidated us, and took our tools and belongings,” he told Scrolla.Africa.
Soon after the robbery, the City of Johannesburg Chair of Chairs, Adolf Marema, visited the scene. He condemned the attacks on workers who are trying to restore power.
“It is unfortunate that people who live among us terrorise officials bringing service to the township. City Power officials came to help replace the faulty cables and restore power, but they were attacked and robbed by criminals. This is uncalled for,” said Marema.
He urged the community to protect those who are working to improve things in the township.
But this isn’t the first time City Power workers have been attacked in Alexandra.
On 17 February, angry residents stormed City Power’s Kew offices and attacked workers. One technician broke his leg and others suffered minor injuries after the crowd forced their way in.
The same mob also attacked councillors’ offices on 8th Avenue, injuring some staff members.
That attack followed a protest where residents blocked roads and burnt tyres to protest against load shedding.
After the latest robbery, City Power pulled its workers out of Alexandra again, leaving the area without repairs.
On Friday, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers went to the area to enforce by-laws. But a fight broke out between the officers and residents who had built a structure on a pavement — which is not allowed under city by-laws.
In a video, residents were seen physically fighting police and calling them “useless”.
Chair of Chairs Adolf Marema also slammed this behaviour. He said such acts will not be tolerated and the law will continue to be enforced.
Pictured above: City Power contractors at the site where they were robbed on Thursday night.
Image source: Everson Luhanga
