What was supposed to be a happy Christmas and New Year turned into a living nightmare for more than 30 households in Manngo Extension 1 near Nzhelele, when electricity company Eskom cut off the illegal connection a day before Christmas.
This festive season, Eskom was on a mission to cut off all illegal connections, because the company said it contributed to the disruption of electricity to the legal connectors.
Disgruntled residents in Manngo Extension 1 said they bought Christmas food, thinking they would enjoy themselves like others who have electricity, but they eventually dumped the rotten foods in their dustbins as, on the 24th of December last year, the utility company cut off the electricity.
Residents were amazed by Eskom´s decision to cut off their electricity as they used to purchase electricity like others whose connections were legal.
Eskom spokesperson in the Vhembe Region Mr Thiofhi Ratshitanga said illegal connection of electricity amounted to stealing and people involved could be arrested if the company were to investigate the matter further. "Although communities need electricity, they need to follow the proper channels and Eskom is warning communities to stop such practices, as it also puts the lives of innocent people in danger.
“The Manngo Extension 1 communities must arrange with the Makhado Municipality to have their households electrified legally by Eskom," said Ratshitanga.
A resident who doesn´t want to be identified said due to the delays in supplying electricity to the new stands of Manngo Extension 1, villagers thought to do a fast connection by hiring an engineer consultant, who misused them by doing an illegal connection two years ago. "We used to purchase electricity at any Eskom outlet shop selling electricity, without difficulties. We were left in darkness while others used to enjoy electricity light," said the resident.
Another resident said as communities they acknowledge that their electricity was illegal connected and, to correct this, they decided to collect about R 1 000 each. "We will then approach the local municipality to meet us half-way to have our village re-connected legally. It will be easier for Eskom to help us connect our households with electricity as the feeder lines have been erected," said another villager.
Meanwhile, Makhado Municipality spokesperson Louis Bobodi said the village Manngo Extension 1 was in line with those villages the municipality will supply with electricity during the 2010/11 financial year.