Last month Eskom issued a communication
that there’ll be immediate unwarranted
cut offs from the feeders that are supplying
most areas in Diepkloof & Orlando East.
According to Eskom these communities
are not buying electricity and most of the
homes are connected illegally. Councillors,
had a meeting with Eskom, on the 29th
of August 2022 to address this issue.
ESKOM’S CONCERNS
Eskom’s main concern regarding the cut offs is that there are residents on feeders who haven’t been buying electricity since 2010, yet when Eskom takes drastic measures regarding switching off supply, the community will cry foul and threaten to protest.
ESKOM’S RESOLUTION
A moratorium (temporary prohibition) on the cut offs has been granted by Eskom on behalf of residents, hoping that they will start doing right by ESKOM. Furthermore, if there are no improvements in the coming months Eskom will be left with no choice but to switch off the supply feeders. Residents are urged to start improving on buying Electricity.
ON LOAD SHEDDING / REDUCTION
Eskom targets areas where there are low and zero buyers on electricity, then that’s where they regularly institutes loadshedding and reduction, Diepkloof & Orlando East, are very low on buying electricity, they will continue experiencing load reduction. Places like diepkloof zone 3 which was once on the list for regular load reduction, have since been removed since they have improved on the buying percentage.
R6000 FINES
This decision has not been revoked, and it still stands, those who bypass on meter boxes, will be FINED. Those who can’t load electricity on your boxes or your boxes are malfunctioning… they should report those boxes. Residents should not sit and relax. Eskom will start tracing and charge homes that are not buying electricity.
Eskom’s ESP program
Councilors have requested Eskom to come and do workshops in communities to explain how does Eskom calculates or adds electricity for those who do not afford and are on the ESP program.
BLANKET APPROACH
Councillors have since requested Eskom to find better mechanisms to sort out their approach on sweeping everybody with the same broom. A person who is buying electricity can’t be treated the same as the one who does not buy. This happens a lot when there’s a minisub failure or a burnt minisub, because Eskom clearly states that on this matter, they are unable to replace a minisub when majority of the people there are not buying! Eg. 94 people in a minisub and only 10 are consistent buyers and 84 are not buyers, he will definitely not replace that minisub instead he will make arrangements for the 84 to pay the Deferred payment arrangement process for them to get a new minisub. We have since requested ESKOM to look into ways and options of assisting the 10 buying customers because they cannot stay off on the basis of those who are not doing the right thing. (This request will be escalated)