Residents of Decoligny Mission near Efata School for the Deaf and Blind in Mthatha have blocked an attempt by the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality to disconnect them from the municipal electricity infrastructure.
KSD officials descended on the area on February 24, with police officers in tow, in what was supposed to be an operation to remove two illegally connected transformers in the area.
But residents, who say they have spent thousands of rands per household to hire their own contractor to electrify their houses, blocked municipal officials from removing the transformers, insisting that they produce a court order authorising such operation.
Residents resorted to hiring their own contractors to bring them electricity after their plea to the KSD Municipality for electricity fell on deaf ears.
The municipality says the houses are built on disputed land which is subject to an ongoing court case.
“I have spent R59 000 to have electricity in my house and the municipality keeps cutting our electricity saying we have connected from their electricity infrastructure illegally but when we ask that they connect us legally we are not getting assistance from them,” said one resident, Nomvume Mlungwana.
Residents have also insisted that despite having connected the electricity from their own pockets, their meter boxes are loaded with KSD municipal electricity, otherwise known as UMthiza.
“We are in limbo as residents of this area because when we went to Eskom to ask that they electrify the area, we’re told they cannot do that because we live on disputed land and the municipality is saying the same thing; hence we resorted to making contributions as residents to hire our own contractor,” said another resident, Sisingise Tshangela.
The municipality and residents have resolved to allow for a 14-day period where the municipality, representatives from the community and the person laying claim to the disputed land will meet to discuss a solution that will bring about legally connected electricity to the area.
The KSD Municipality, meanwhile, has lamented the negative impact of illegal connection of electricity on their infrastructure, as well as risks associated with it on those using illegally connected electricity.
“The issue of illegal connections is rife within the municipality, and this puts a burden on our infrastructure which leads to blackouts, while also depriving the municipality of electricity revenue.
“These illegal connections also pose a risk on those using illegally connected electricity, as consequences can be devastating resulting in loss of property, belongings and, in worst cases, lives,” said KSD spokesperson, Sonwabo Mampoza.
