City Power has announced a complete halt to all restoration work in Vezinyawo, Alexandra, following a harrowing incident that saw two of its technicians attacked and kidnapped while on duty. This unsettling development has raised serious concerns about the safety of utility workers in Johannesburg and the escalating tensions within the community.
According to reports, several individuals forcibly seized keys from three City Power vehicles, with the audacious demand for power restoration driving the mob’s actions. The situation underscores a broader issue of unrest faced by the electricity provider, who has been working diligently to address power outages in the region.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena expressed his dismay and condemned the actions of the assailants. In a statement, Mangena highlighted the serious implications of such violence: “We want to reiterate that City Power will not proceed with any restoration work of any other services in that area, until all the meters that we have been installing across Alexandra have been restored and even the residents there are paying for electricity.”
This incident, which was formally reported to the police, prompts urgent questions regarding public safety and the rights of utility workers, who often operate under challenging conditions. The suspension of operations not only affects the immediate restoration of power but also reflects the broader struggles within communities grappling with electricity access and the sometimes fraught relationships between residents and service providers.