Power cuts added to rising living costs for Lambton residents who were left without power for four days.

ALSO READ: Germiston residents still await response on memorandum from CoE

Criminal acts left Lambton residents in Webber Street residing in a closed-off complex without power affecting not only businesses but households too.

The power went off on August 21, forcing residents to find alternative means to survive the blackout. Power was restored on August 25 at about 17:00.

Candice Wilson, a resident at Sabie Sands, voiced her grievances and how they were affected by the power outage.

She said a circuit breaker was stolen from the electric box at midnight and they had to find alternative means to prepare for work on Monday morning.

“Fellow residents had to clean out their deep freezers because their food had gone off,” said Wilson.

ALSO READ: Elsburg resident fed up with illegal connections

 “One tenant has a five-year-old child. She had to bathe her child at a friend’s house. Most of us had to endure cold showers in the morning before going to work,” said Wilson.

“Our security system was down for four days, and the electric fence was inactive as well.

“The main gate had to be closed because we couldn’t use it manually.

“The small gate was connected to solar but the challenge was we had to wait for the sun to rise and start heating up the solar panel. That delayed us to go to work,” she said.

She said on Monday residents noticed the electric box was open and live wires were exposed posing danger to pedestrians.

“There are children passing in the morning and after school. We used our wheelie bins to barricade the box,” said Wilson.

“Waste hasn’t been collected for two weeks as well. No one has accounted for that,” she said.

Sonya Geldenhuys said power outages have been consistent in the area due to high levels of crime.

“The street lights have not been working for three years. As a result the thieves take advantage of the situation and hide easily at night,” said Geldenhuys.

“Thieves steal these copper cables and circuit breakers during the early hours of the morning. In the last couple of months, we had power outages at least once or twice a month.”

She raised objection to have to purchase batteries for her alarm system.

“One battery costs R500. I had lighting outside to light my driveway but they were all stolen and I keep replacing them. The constant power cuts affect our geyser as well,” she said

James Lagerwall said the City of Ekurhuleni is not accountable for its turnaround time.

“I had to go to Linksfield to bathe after my work shift because I work in Sunninghill, said Lagerwall.

“The petrol to move around is an added cost. I was supposed to be working from home and but I am forced to go to the office,” he said.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni residents without power following violent protest

GCN sent a request for comment to the City of Ekurhuleni on August 25, requesting comment by August 26 at 13:00.

At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.

We use cookies to help improve your experience and to show you relevant advertising. To learn more about cookies, please read our Privacy Policy. OK