Gqeberha shack dwellers complain of faulty electricity meters only a month after installation

When 64-year-old Margaret Kivido woke up at 2am to make a cup of tea before starting her day on 23 October, her electricity was off. But when she checked her newly installed electricity meter, units were still being deducted.

Kivido is among residents living in 340 shacks at Kliprand informal settlement in Gqeberha. On 22 June, the community staged a protest saying a promised electrification project had been delayed for eight months. In August, residents protested again after the tragic death of 17-year-old Erris Jonkers. The teenager was electrocuted while checking live wire connections spread over the Chatty River near his home.

About a month ago, 314 of the shacks had electricity meters installed, but residents say their joy was short-lived because the boxes are riddled with problems.

Resident, Annie Bell said her fridge and stove were damaged. “I’m very disappointed with this electricity. We never experienced these problems when we were using izinyoka connections,” she said.

“I survive on piecemeal jobs so I don’t know how I’m going to buy these appliances again,” she said.

Marina Buys, who has lived in the community for 50 years, says her family of 10 previously relied on illegal connections. “This is the first time in my life I’m using ‘safe’ electricity.