A number of areas in Germiston, including Tedstoneville, Dukathole and Swaswap, were plunged into darkness, last Thursday.<\/p>\n
The metro claimed that the outage was caused by a fault at the Tedstoneville substation and that the technicians were working hard to restore power.<\/p>
Although technicians managed to restore power through another source, on Friday morning, it lasted for only 20 minutes and then went off again.<\/p>\n
By Friday night the problem had escalated, when a high voltage equipment failure resulted in the explosion and burning of the Germiston South Extension Eight substation.<\/p>
While metro spokesman Themba Gadebe assured residents that the metro was working to restore the power, residents shared their frustration with the situation.<\/p>\n
Anita Sloane, a Tedstoneville resident, was at her wits end when she contacted the GCN.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am hoping you will be able to assist us with getting some straight answers or explanation for the power outage,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Thursday, the electricity went off and I started phoning the metro\u2019s call taking centre, as did my neighbour; I was told cable theft, while she was told maintenance.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 1.30pm I phoned again and was told the problem was bigger than they had thought and they could not give details of when the power would be restored.<\/p>\n
“At 4pm I was told substation, because of cables stolen, and my neighbour was told maintenance.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the confusion, Sloane was left with spoilt food and an increasing financial burden as she had to buy diesel to power her generator.<\/p>\n
Ursula Bell, another resident from Tedstoneville, had similar complaints.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been told different reasons for the outage each time I have called the metro\u2019s call taking centre.” she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to know what has actually happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill I be refunded for all my meat and vegetables that have defrosted and rotted in my deep freezer?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gadebe said the problems at the affected substation were addressed and repaired by 3pm on Wednesday, almost a week after the power outage began.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe metro apologises for any inconveniences caused,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The metro is yet to respond to the other issues raised by residents affected by the outage.<\/p>\n
Related articles:<\/p>\n
Technicians working to restore power<\/a><\/p>\n Repair works underway to restore power to part of Germiston<\/a><\/p>\n Repair work to restore power to parts of Germiston continues<\/a><\/p>\n