Frustration is growing among backroom rental business owners in Diepsloot Extension 6, north of Johannesburg, after Eskom’s crackdown on illegal electricity connections left residents in the dark. The removal of over 35 illegally connected transformers last year has significantly impacted local rental businesses and contributed to a troubling rise in crime.
Many residents, including rental business owner Edwin Mokoele, have admitted to illegally sourcing power from the now-removed transformers. Mokoele explained that the high cost of legal electricity made it nearly impossible to afford, prompting many in the community to resort to unauthorized connections.
“Electricity is very expensive, and the units are too small; they don’t last even if you buy more,” said Mokoele, who rents rooms for between R750 and R1,250, generating about R10,750 monthly. “We were forced to use the illegal connections, but now that they’ve been removed, our businesses are falling apart.”
Mokoele and other rental owners now face severe losses as tenants, who were used to affordable electricity, move out due to the lack of power. In addition, the rising cost of alternatives like gas cylinders and paraffin has made it difficult for residents to maintain basic living standards.
The absence of electricity has also led to an alarming increase in crime. Mokoele stated, “We no longer go outside at night because crime has risen more than before. People are being robbed at knifepoint, and some have been shot.” Without the cover of streetlights, criminals are thriving in the darkness.
Another local business owner, Edward Masoga, 55, expressed concerns about the escalating crime, particularly related to the theft of electricity cables and damaged circuits. “Crime is getting worse, especially at night,” he said. “People are stealing electricity cables, and the phones don’t work, so people are suffering in silence.”
Eskom, in collaboration with law enforcement, removed the illegal transformers last August in an attempt to reclaim its network and reduce the strain from unauthorized connections. However, many residents are still left without power five months later.
In response to the ongoing issue, Eskom spokesperson Amanda Qithi confirmed that the power utility has started restoring electricity in areas where 60% of affected customers have made an initial payment of R500. However, she was unable to provide a timeline for when the full restoration would be completed.
“We are currently busy with the installation of smart meters and pole top boxes for customers who have met the 60% threshold,” Qithi stated. “We are constantly updating the councillor and the customers who have made the initial payment, but work has only started in Extension 2 and parts of Extension 6.”
The situation remains dire for many residents of Diepsloot Extension 6, caught between the need for affordable power, the risks of illegal electricity use, and the growing threat of crime. As the community continues to grapple with these challenges, the question remains: when will lasting solutions be found?
