Karabo Rammutla
While the rest of the country endures daily load shedding, Mamelodi residents have figured out a way to enjoy power every hour of the day.
At first, neighbouring residents accused the City of Tshwane of favouring the northeastern township over other areas when they saw that lights in Mamelodi were staying on.
But that was until a video emerged on social media in which a group of men are seen inside a substation. The men can be seen switching on their areas during load shedding.
Whenever there’s loadshedding, the group goes to the substation and switches on their area and areas of their friends and relatives.
A resident who wished not to be named said the group decided to take matters into their own hands when power trips because of overload.
“There are many squatter camps in Mamelodi and when the power comes back on there are constant power cuts. So residents asked a man who had worked for the city to help them in switching on their area and switching off areas where there are squatter camps,” he said.
He said although the group’s action was illegal they had no choice.
“To get the city to switch on our area again we have to phone and log a complaint and wait for hours for technicians to come but these residents just go to the substation and the power is back within minutes,” he said.
This was continued even during load shedding with the township enjoying power all the time.
Maphefo Mallela from Phase 2, Mamelodi said the group should be found and arrested.
“We were wondering why power didn’t return after load shedding until we saw this video. They targeted our area and always switched us off. We pay electricity like them and what they did is criminal, they must be punished,” she said.
She said the group of men is mostly from Mahube in Mamelodi.
“They think they are better than us because they stay in bonded houses. We stay in shacks but we pay for services. They think they’re untouchable because they know people who work for the city,” she said.
City of Tshwane spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo said the city was not aware of the group’s actions.
He said an investigation will be done and steps will be taken against anyone tampering with the city’s infrastructure.
Image source: @DailySun
