Lack of electricity sparks protests in Los Angeles

“We have been paying R200 to connect electricity illegally from Driftsands formal settlements for a very long time. We know that burning roads is not a solution but at least they will give us attention,” said Balintulo.

She says they were told that the area is suitable for settlement in 2011 and they will be moved to Mfuleni but 5 years later they are still there.

Resident Sinethemba Bam said what was most frustrating was that their councillor never attended meetings the community had scheduled with him.

“On Sunday 9 October Themba Honono, our councillor, came here and told us he does not have an office yet so he cannot take our grievances,” said Bam. He said they believed Honono does not care about their problems as he stays in a “nice” place in Mfuleni.

Residents claim the provision of electricity has been promised to them many times over the last 22 years since they started living in the area. The last time, say residents, was in May when mayor Patricia de Lille made promises, but these have never materialised. Residents say before that, she made promises in November last year.

But now, instead of Los Angeles receiving electricity, it is being installed in neighbouring Green Park and Sophakama.

A resident of LA, Xolani Sibonde, said they want the mayor to come and listen to their grievances, and this time they don’t want any more promises, they want to see electricity contractors working in their area.

De Lille’s spokesperson Pierrinne Uys said Los Angeles is an Eskom supply area and therefore the mayor cannot respond on the matter. Attempts to get a comment from councillor Themba Honono failed as he did not answer his cell phone or respond to sms.