By Everson Luhanga
Moloko Moitsi died when the illegal transformer he was trying to disconnect and hide exploded during Eskom’s operation to remove illegal connections in the township.
On Tuesday, Eskom removed 35 illegal transformers supplying power to thousands of residents, leaving parts of the township without electricity.
Eskom officials found 92 illegal transformers and plan to remove the other 57 soon.
While Eskom was disconnecting the illegal transformers, some residents in the Limpopo settlement hired Moitsi, a technician, to secretly disconnect and hide their transformer.
But it exploded, killing him instantly.
Community and political leaders in Diepsloot are worried that removing the transformers will leave the area in darkness for weeks, which could lead to more crime.
Loyiso Toyiya, an anti-crime activist and head of the Diepsloot Community Forum, criticised Eskom’s approach.
He said the power utility had to find better ways to deal with illegal connections than punishing the entire community.
“Our concern is that crime will increase,” Toyiya said.
“Eskom can handle illegal connections better. We can’t celebrate when our township is in darkness, even though we don’t support illegal connections.”
ANC councillor Abraham Mabuke is trying to arrange a meeting between Eskom officials and community representatives.
The meeting is planned at the Diepsloot police station at a date still to be set.
Mabuke confirmed that Eskom will return to remove the rest of the illegal transformers.
“We are still negotiating with Eskom to finalise the date,” he said.
Pictured above: Eskom in Diepsloot.
Source: Supplied
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