Residents seek metro’s attention by signing petition
Following the continuous power outages in Impala Park and Witkoppie Ridge, residents, businesses, shoppers and others affected have started to take part in a petition campaign in an attempt to attract the metro's attention.
The petition was drafted by Impala Park Clr Andrè du Plessis and Graham Gersbach.
For the past two months, complaints have been flowing in from despondent residents about the constant unexpected power outages in these two suburbs.
Between March 10 and 13, residents, businesses and shoppers experienced continuous power outages totaling 54 hours due to cable faults.
Since then, the suburbs have allegedly experienced further outages on a number of occasions, including four evenings in a row in week ending April 26.
The aim of the petition is for the metro to:
* Report back in detail to residents, businesses and other affected persons on the status of the electricity infrastructure in the suburbs and the reasons for power outages this year.
* Advise what action is being taken to minimise further repetitive power outages.
*Undertake the necessary capital investment, including new cabling and upgrades as required.
* Undertake regular preventative maintenance to minimise power outages.
* Respond to the above in writing to ratepayers and municipal services consumers in the suburbs, and by way of press releases to newspapers distributed in the suburbs.
Petitions have already been distributed to Du Plessis’s and Gersbach’s e-mail mailing lists.
“When the DA offices re-open on May 19, I am hoping to print the petitions in bulk and then we will be looking for volunteers to distribute them door-to-door in the affected suburbs,” says Gersbach.
The Northpoint Spar and any other shops willing to assist, will also distribute copies of the petition.
Anyone affected by the power outages in Impala Park and Witkoppie Ridge during the months of March and April can sign the petition, but it should be clearly indicated as to how you have been affected.
Petitions will be collected up to Monday, May 26, for submission by Du Plessis to the council meeting on Friday, May 29, when the budget is being considered.
“Du Plessis and myself will continue to pursue the matter to get a response,” says Gersbach.
“The power outages will be a key issue of the DA’s by-election campaign.”
Those who want more information, may contact du Plessis on 083 655 8187 and Gersbach on 083 304 1317.
