Some Diepsloot residents turn to solar power when Eskom cuts illegal connections



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Most of Diepsloot residents use illegally connected power, for which they illegally pay around R1,800 to connect to their houses and street lights.

Eskom technicians remove illegal electrical connections at Diepsloot on September 29, 2020. Image: Abigail Javier / EWN

JOHANNESBURG – While most residents of Diepsloot Extention 13 promised to reconnect their illegal electrical connections, some said that using solar energy had saved them thousands of rand.

The community began to get angry on Tuesday when Eskom officials cut the lines connected illegally.

The utility company said it lost R25 billion in Gauteng monthly due to illegal connections.

Most Diepsloot residents use illegally connected power, thus illegally paying around R1,800 to connect to their homes and street lighting.

GALLERY: Eskom removes illegal electrical connections at Diepsloot

But Katherina Skhosana refuses to use this power.

“I use solar energy because the load is reduced … sometimes the transformer explodes when there is a reduction in load.”

One man said he was tired of having to pay to have power reconnected every time Eskom carried out a raid.

“This is the third time the power has been disconnected. It hurts because I take the last of the money to try to have a better life for my family. Now I am considering buying solar energy.”

Eskom has admitted that its operations are not a long-term solution, but said it was important to ensure the security of its network.

LOOK: No illegal power for the people: Diepsloot residents denounce disconnections

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