Eskom has stated that it will temporarily withdraw its services in Khayelitsha after two staff members were robbed of their vehicle at gunpoint in Makhaza on Thursday, 5 September, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The staff members were in the area to install a meter at a house.
Captain FC Van Wyk, Western Cape police spokesperson, stated that three suspects approached the two staff members before demanding that they hand over the keys to the vehicle and their cellphones.
‘The vehicle was taken by the suspects and later found abandoned in Khayelitsha,’ said Van Wyk.
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The case has since been sent to the Bellville Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, as reported by News24.
‘The suspects are unknown at this stage and an investigation is ongoing. A carjacking case was registered for investigation by Makhaza detectives,’ said Van Wyk.
Eskom later issued a press statement to announce it would be suspending operations in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, with ‘immediate effect’.
‘Unfortunately, this means that there will be a much greater delay in electricity restoration efforts, with affected customers likely to experience a longer period without electricity,’ Eskom stated.
‘Eskom senior management and its internal security services will engage with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and local community leadership representatives, regarding the incident and find solutions to ensure the safety of staff before services may resume,’ Eskom added.
Eskom said three previous incidents were recorded this year.
‘We urge the community to take a stand against crime and come forward and report any criminal activity against our staff or our infrastructure,’ said Mbulelo Yedwa, Cape Coastal Cluster general manager.
‘The safety of our staff is non-negotiable, and if any violence or harassment continues, we will prioritise other electricity supply areas where their safety is guaranteed,’ Yedwa added.
Veza Nethi, Khayelitsha Development Forum secretary, has described the incident as ‘barbaric’ and encouraged residents to report any suspicious criminal activity.
‘Any robbery to service delivery in the area is like treason to the community because we depend on services like Eskom for various reasons. Such criminal activities on maintenance workers are uncalled for and condemned in the highest form,’ said Nethi.
Nethi stated that it gave Khayelitsha a ‘bad name’.
‘Many residents in the area rely on services such as the Eskom because of medications that need to be refrigerated. We cannot allow these brazen criminals to rob us of basic services. It’s unacceptable,’ said Nethi.
Funeka Soldaat, Khayelitsha community police forum chairperson, said that any services that can’t be rendered to the community because of criminality are ‘unfair’ to their people.
By Tuesday afternoon, no one had been arrested in connection with the incident.
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Picture: Charles Gallo / Gallo Images