{"id":210534,"date":"2019-07-08T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2019-07-08T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/210534\/germiston-residents-tired-of-metros-powerless-lies\/"},"modified":"2019-07-09T13:44:14","modified_gmt":"2019-07-09T11:44:14","slug":"germiston-residents-tired-of-metros-powerless-lies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2019\/07\/08\/germiston-residents-tired-of-metros-powerless-lies\/","title":{"rendered":"Round Up: Germiston residents tired of metro\u2019s powerless \u2018lies\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many parts of Germiston have been left in darkness once again.<\/p>\n

Though prolonged power outages are nothing new to Germiston residents, the latest spat of outages, which have lasted for days, have left many residents angry and frustrated.<\/p>

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Residents\u2019 frustration has only grown as they allegedly receive no feedback from the metro on the causes of the outages or when power will be restored.<\/p>\n

\u201cGermiston and the surrounding areas have been hit by persistent power outages following the failure of an Eskom 40 MVA transformer at the Kreupelhout Street substation in Wadeville,\u201d said Ward 39 Clr Alta de Beer.<\/p>

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\u201cThis has had a domino effect as overloading of the already delicate grid triggered outages in neighbouring suburbs, such as Dinwiddie, Mimosa Park, Lambton, Parkhill Gardens, Delville and Elsburg.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe metro\u2019s resources are stretched to breaking point at the moment and this has resulted in poor communication and high levels of frustration for both the residents and ward councillors.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the transformer is Eskom\u2019s responsibility, we are concerned that the repair could take up to six weeks due to the costs involved and the repair time needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have since been in contact with MMC Dora Mlambo, who is responsible for service delivery in Germiston,\u201d said de Beer.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe agrees that the current situation is unacceptable and is open to discussing the way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0Germiston residents struggle through the darkness<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

In a statement, the metro\u2019s spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, said the metro and Eskom have been able to reduce the time frame required to replace the Eskom transformer, which Eskom has not confirmed despite the GCN sending several queries.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs part of our immediate remedial actions, we have been able to drastically reduce the time frame required to replace the transformer,\u201d said Gadebe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWork is now scheduled to be completed on July 13.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition, a new 11 000-volt cable has been temporarily installed to enable load to be distributed between two primary substations, and this will lead to more load being accommodated and hopefully, mean less trips on overloading of the system.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny cable and equipment faults will receive immediate attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gadebe said the metro\u2019s future plans will include medium- and long-term arrangements.<\/p>\n

Medium-term arrangements include:<\/p>\n

\u2022 A new security tender will be in place by the end of July, which will make provision for special early-warning notifications to a control centre before cable theft takes place.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Video cameras and pepper spray alarm systems and more equipment will be installed in sub-stations.<\/p>\n

\u2022 All cameras and early-warning notifications will be monitored in three security control rooms and reaction teams dispatched as and when required.<\/p>\n

\u2022 All meter-tampering will be followed up and necessary actions taken.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Illegal electricity connections will be removed.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0Update: Power should be restored to all affected areas \u2013 says councillor<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

Long-term arrangements include:<\/p>\n

\u2022 The metro\u2019s Atom Road substation will be upgraded and have double capacity within the next two years.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The metro\u2019s Russel Road substation will also be refurbished and upgraded.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Frequently failing cables will be replaced and upgraded where necessary.<\/p>\n

Moving forward, de Beer and the metro have urged all residents and businesses to use electricity sparingly and to keep the load balanced, especially during the two peak periods daily (7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm) by implementing energy-saving measures.<\/p>\n

Residents are also requested to assist by reporting any illegal connections and properties that are overcrowded.<\/p>\n

For many residents these are just more empty promises and words from the metro.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe municipality needs to be brought to book on this, especially when you phone the metro\u2019s call centre and you either cannot get through or they cut you off or tell you they don’t know what the problem is and how long it will take to resolve,\u201d said Hilary Mitchley.<\/p>\n

While another resident commented: \u201cGive me one good reason why we should put up with this gross mismanagement and be deprived of a basic service like electricity for which we are paying an arm and a leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/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

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