Over 100 families in the Shabalala Trust outside Hazyview, Mpumalanga, are enduring a cold and dark winter without electricity.
These families have been without power for six months due to a damaged transformer that was damaged last December. They claim that Eskom is refusing to replace the transformer, demanding R65 000 from them.
The families say they are struggling to raise the money as they initially paid Eskom the same amount to replace the same transformer early last year, but it was not.
One affected community member, Bongani Mnyokane, says their constant attempts to engage with Eskom have been unsuccessful.
Mnyokane says they went to Eskom to get information and assistance; however, they did not receive any help.
“They told us that we must go back to Ligwalagwala FM because you went there for help. So, tell them to help you. And around here, people are not working. Many of them are pensioners. Now we are experiencing crime and last time we gave them R65 000, and they promised us they would come and install the transformer there, and they didn’t come. They just installed a pole there,” says Mnyokane.
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Meanwhile, Eskom has revealed that it is currently conducting audits in the area as it previously discovered that the customers had tampered with the transformer and other infrastructure.
Eskom’s spokesperson, Daphne Mokoena, says that a transformer was found to have been tampered with in early 2023.
Mokoena says the same transformer failed again in December 2024, which prompted a repeat audit.
“Eskom is currently verifying whether the affected customers are the same individuals previously identified for meter bypassing. These customers are required to settle their tamper fines before the transformer can be replaced. Further investigation into repeat offenders is underway. Affected customers will be engaged on the way forward, which will include full payment of the tamper fee,” adds Mokoena.
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