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Spaza’s shops, hair salons and street vendors are the main drivers of the local economy in Diepsloot, but without power, they say their businesses are nearly dead.
A Diepsloot resident observes Eskom technicians removing illegal electrical connections in their community on September 29, 2020. Image: Abigail Javier / EWN
JOHANNESBURG – With South Africa battling skyrocketing unemployment, business owners in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, said the power disconnection in the township was another blow to their already battered pockets.
Eskom has disconnected illegal connections on Extension 13.
But some residents vowed to reconnect power, saying the lack of lights would lead to an increase in crime in the area.
GALLERY: Eskom removes illegal electrical connections at Diepsloot
They said they had no problem paying for energy officially, but the government had not formalized it.
Spaza’s shops, hair salons and street vendors are the main drivers of the local economy in Diepsloot, but without power, they say their businesses are nearly dead.
Owen Mudau, who owns a local spaza store, said the lack of power meant he couldn’t sell perishable goods, but it also meant fewer customers at certain times of the day.
“When there is no electricity, no one wants to come to the store at night. I am also afraid to open because of the criminals around here.”
Kholofelo Motia is one of the 2.2 million South Africans who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He opened his hairdresser during level 4 of the confinement.
“With Eskom taking its transformers, life is about to get more difficult. This business is my life. Without power, I don’t know how I’m going to serve my customers.”
Motia said she had solar power for backup but couldn’t afford to keep it with more clients who didn’t want to comb their hair closer to sunset.
LOOK: No illegal power for the people: Diepsloot residents denounce disconnections
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