Power outages are nothing new to Germiston residents.<\/p>\n
Over the past few weeks, many suburbs in Germiston have once again been plagued with outages, with some lasting for days at a time.<\/p>
Over the Easter weekend, the metro gave no reason for an outage which lasted for days.<\/p>\n
This power outage resulted in an emergency shutdown at the main Germiston sub-station.<\/p>
After this situation was resolved, many suburbs were plunged into darkness once again on May 2, when power cables were allegedly stolen in Knights Road.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest problem when dealing with cable theft is that people are still willing to buy the stolen cables, which cost a lot to replace,\u201d said Ward 36 Clr Wendy Morgan at the time of the theft.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0<\/strong>New solution to overcoming power outages<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The city\u2019s residents are at their wits’ end, sharing their frustration with the GCN.<\/p>\n \u201cThis situation is getting out control. There is not a week that goes by that our power is not off in Mimosa Park and Klippoortje,\u201d said Janet Greyling.<\/p>\n Hilary Mitchley shared her anguish stating, \u201cWe are so sick and tired of being without power.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of the outages will last for longer than 24 hours and are happening on a weekly basis due to the incompetence of the metro.<\/p>\n \u201cSub-stations, cables and infrastructure are not maintained and they therefore break down and we as residents must suffer.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing without electricity is not only inconvenient, it is also a safety risk as our homes are more vulnerable as gate motors, alarm systems and electric fencing do not work.\u201d<\/p>\n She further explained that the metro\u2019s call centre was seldom able to offer any help to frustrated residents.<\/p>\n \u201cThe metro\u2019s call centre is pathetic. You need to phone at least three times before you actually get through and they can tell you nothing, if you don\u2019t get cut off first,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Ester de Lange also shared her sentiments.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce again we were without power,\u201d de Lange said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is happening more and more and for longer and longer periods of time.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you phone the metro\u2019s call centre, they don\u2019t even bother to answer the phones.<\/p>\n \u201cTraffic lights are not working and street lights are not working. What is working in Ekurhuleni?<\/p>\n \u201cI can understand why people burn down buildings and throw rocks.\u201d<\/p>\n Phumzile Browne said, \u201cI am full of disappointment and betrayal from the city.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were without electricity for almost two days and no communication has come through to explain what is happening or even to apologise for this disturbance in our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n The GCN has sent numerous queries to the metro in an attempt to find out the cause behind the continuous outages and what plans the metro has to stop them.<\/p>\n However, at the time of going to press, no comment had been received from the metro.<\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nALSO READ:\u00a0A colourful, vibrant and beautiful inner city<\/a><\/h4>\n