It’s Day 6 without electricity in Zone 8, Meadowlands.
Small business owners gather in wonder, of whether electricity will be restored on Monday afternoon.
Eskom got residents and businesses alike, to sign a register to give green light for the installation of electricity meters.
This is because some locals were complaining about the cost of prepaid electricity.
Moloko Ranaka (not his real name) said “we do not work, and how will we be able to afford that electricity?”
He is part of a few households resisting the meters, in favour of a flat rate with Eskom.
But on day 3, when food for a lunchbox for his kids began to go rancid and juices warmed up, he caved into, signing the pledge.
Dorah Ramanungu’s (not her real name), local fish and chips in Zone 8, is identifiable by winding long queues, of customers awaiting fat cakes and bunny chows (kota).
This past weekend, the queues were not there, customers veered off to other areas.
Using a gas stove, it took 30 minutes to get a Kota, which is normally ready in 10 minutes.
She is feeling the pinch, also with drinks as warm as beverages, customers ditched her.
A furious Pule Tshabalala (not his real name) has a spaza shop.
“Eskom has no regard for small business, if we had a big retail group in the area, the lights would be on by now.”
Shamani Tambani known as “Philie” short for Philemon, is the local Ward Councillor for Ward 43, in Region D2.
He has been at the receiving end of infuriated residents and small business owners.
“We are awaiting the Chief Technician to give a report to Customer Service at Eskom” he said.
He could not confirm the date and time of the restoration of electricity supply.
Eskom had promised residents to switch the electricity back on while meters are installed, but did a 360 about turn, on this promise.
Concerns are growing louder of potential opportunistic crimes on another powerless night.
Tshabalala added “Will we wake up with infrastructure intact, is it not true that cables are normally stripped in the dark? What will become of us? Won’t this be double trouble for us?”
Picture of empty Zone 8 shops, usually pumping with customers during lunch.