Question NW2517 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
20 November 2020 - NW2517
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(a)What are the reasons that Eskom has cut off the electricity for the community of Braamfisherville in Phase 3, Soweto, in Gauteng for the past six months and (b) By what date does he envisage the electricity will be restored in the specified community?
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom
1. Eskom has not cut off electricity supply for the Phase 3 customers in Braamfisherville. The transformers have failed as a result of overloading networks caused by meter bypasses and ghost vending, as well as the illegal operations by third parties. In order to avoid this phenomenon from repeatedly reoccurring, Eskom has decided to audit the meters, fine those who have illegally bypassed their meters or are purchasing ghost vouchers, and replace the damaged meters before replacing the transformers. This process has been resisted by customers and hence delayed the process of transformer replacement across Braamfisherville.
We have currently agreed with ward councilors and the Gauteng Province to defer the payment of fines where customers who cannot afford them will have to agree to a payment arrangement by signing the relevant forms.
It was only after the payment arrangement was agreed upon that customers agreed that we implement the process. This process has created a backlog of about 70 transformers that need to be replaced. We have drafted a schedule to replace these transformers and are progressing very well.
2. A number of transformers are offline in Phase 3 as a result of the reasons provided above. The replacement of transformers in Phase 3 is expected to be completed by 21 December 2020 subject to the customers signing the deferred payment agreements and material availability. Eskom will have to be provided with the meter or reference number in order to provide a more specific date.