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The DA will engage the City of Johannesburg to investigate the allegations that the ANC Ward 58 Councillor and a City Power official told the residents in Crosby that when the lights trip, they are allowed to go to the mini-substation and restore power and had even provided a key to access the mini-substation.

This followed the electrocution of a Crosby resident after trying to restore power to the area. The victim was released from hospital on Thursday.

Some residents have alleged in a string of messages from a community WhatsApp group that in a meeting held earlier in July, the ANC Ward 58 Councillor and a City Power official allegedly informed the residents to restore electricity when it trips at the mini substation. They claim that they were told that they should do it themselves to avoid having to log calls and waiting for City Power contractors to attend to the fault.

The DA will request an immediate investigation into the matter to establish whether the ANC Ward Councillor and City Power official did indeed give permission and supplied a key for residents to access the mini-substation and restore power as and when required. The investigators must interview residents in the area and establish what was said, and who said what. The DA will also be engaging to MMC Michael Sun to have City Power investigate the newly installed mini substation as residents are complaining of daily power trips since installation.

Should these allegations prove to be true, those implicated should be held liable. According to news reports, the City of Joburg and City Power have laid charges against the electrocuted resident, however an investigation into the Councillor and City Power official is essential. Residents should not have access to the mini substation as it carries high voltage and is extremely dangerous, especially to a lay person.

The DA will continue to put pressure on the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Lebogang Maile, to prioritise the Slovo Park in-situ housing project which will help solve the electricity issues in the area. It is understandably frustrating for residents of Crosby to go every single day with power outages which can last for hours due to the number of illegal connections in the area. This housing development project must begin to bring dignity to the residents of Slovo Park, get rid of the filth in the area and bring a stable electricity supply to the residents of Crosby and Slovo Park.

The DA understands the frustration of residents having to face daily power outages, but I urge that residents to please not touch the substations and mini-substations and log calls and have City Power attend to the fault. The City of Joburg must also ascertain the causes of constant power outages in the area and find a permanent solution.

Issued by Sergio Isa Dos Santos MPL - DA Joburg Central Constituency Head