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Move to end illegal electricity connections related deaths progressing well in Motherwell

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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Electricity and Energy Portfolio Head, Cllr Lance Grootboom, officially switched on legal and safe electricity connections for a Motherwell community that has been negatively affected by illegal electricity related deaths and injuries.

This comes after the City completed phase 1 of the electrification project in Khayelitsha informal settlement, switching on a total of 214 homes on Wednesday, 1 March 2023.

During the jovial celebration, MMC Grootboom said the City was committed to remove illegal connections which had reportedly killed atleast two people in 2022 in the area.

“We have heard reports of deaths and injuries due to illegal electricity connections. In October there was a mother from this community who died due to these deadly wires. We have more than 800 informal houses in this community and we are saying we have now completed phase 1 of the project with these 214 houses. We already have infrastructure up to cater for the remaining 600 shacks, what is outstanding are the meter boxes for inside the houses.”

“We will come back soon and connect the remaining homes as we know electricity is a basic need. We want to complete the entire project by the end of the financial year to ensure that our people have safe and stable electricity supply in winter. We thank them for their patience, and we hope they will enjoy this service responsibly,” said MMC Grootboom.

Ward 55 Councillor, Thanduxolo Doda said the development was welcomed as the area was covered with illegal connections posing a danger to residents, especially children.

An excited resident, Nandipha Ndlela expressed her gratitude for the completion of the project.

“We were paying R150 a month to get an illegal connection. But there were so many risks that came with the connection. Although we will still be paying, atleast we know we are paying for something legit now. We are happy the illegal connections will be removed as we lost a child and a young woman in one year from this community. Some got lucky and did not die but suffered injuries, so we are very happy,” said Ndlela.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.