RESIDENTS of Hillview Extension 5 in Gingindlovu said the authorities are making them criminals as they make illegal electrical connections as promises of electricity do not become reality.
They are even threatening to boycott the elections and said the only time they see the municipality in their area is when they want votes.
The community was moved from an area which had electricity and have been promised electricity for the last nine months.
Electricity is supplied by Eskom, but they said the uMlalazi Municipality is not taking their concerns seriously and the muicipality should be putting more pressure on Eskom.
One resident said she has given up on the promises and has now connected illegally to power lines which go through the suburb.
The community cannot understand why they are not being connected as there are power lines, supposedly to provide street lighting for the suburb.
Even that is not happening, as most poles have no fittings, while others are broken.
The illegal connections are now causing friction with the neighbouring suburb, which is often plunged into darkness as the transformers are overloaded by the illegal connections and the power outages.
‘We do not want the Extension 5 residents to be prosecuted, we want the community to get what they have been promised for the last nine months,’ said a concerned resident who asked not to be named.
‘They are desperate to live their lives as they did before they were moved and that included having electricity.’
All agree illegal connections are not the way to go, but they feel they have no option.
The connections are a hazard and children or animals could easily be electrocuted by the live wires and connections within children’s reach.
Plastic bags are used to ‘insulate’ the connections, which could also cause serious injury or damage to property when it rains.
‘We attend meetings, are made promises, but nothing happens,’ said an Extension 5 resident.
