The X and XA sections of Site B, Khayelitsha, will be without electricity for a while longer – as Eskom announces it will not be returning to the area until further notice.
This decision comes in the wake of an incident on Monday, wherein two Eskom employees were apparently assaulted by members of the local community. In a statement, the power utility says the assailants also forcibly took the employees’ vehicle keys, compelling them to halt their duties immediately.
“During the incident, an Eskom Enterprise Digital Assistant (EDA) was also taken along with the keys; however, only the vehicle keys have been recovered.”
One of the employees is said to have suffered severe injuries and is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Eskom has condemned this attack on its employees, noting that it will work closely with members of the Khayelitsha South African Police Service in its investigations. And while the incident is being probed, it adds that there will be a delay in electricity being restored to the area.
“Unfortunately, there will be a delay in electricity restoration efforts and customers may experience prolonged durations without electricity. Eskom will be working closely with local authorities while reviewing the incident before deciding when staff may re-enter the area to resume operations.”
Ongoing issues
This is not the first time Eskom employees have come under attack in Khayelitsha. Residents in Enkanini spent Christmas and most of January without electricity, after technicians were attacked in December last year.
According to GroudUP, two Eskom technicians were robbed at gunpoint while attending to vandalised infrastructure in the area. The power utility then suspended services to the area.
The matter was, however, resolved following engagements with community leaders.
“Eskom spokesperson Kyle Cookson said Eskom and the community leaders had come to an agreement ‘to rally the community of Enkanini to assist in fighting criminal behaviour that leaves Eskom employees traumatised’”, the article read.
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