Eskom has withdrawn its services from Nkanini in Khayelitsha following an armed robbery and hijacking incidents involving their technicians.

STAY IN THE DARK

The power utility explained that the incidents happened separately on Friday afternoon in Makhaza and Harare respectively where their contractors were robbed at gunpoint, with one also being hijacked.

"Unfortunately, this means that there will be a delay in electricity restoration efforts with affected customers likely to experience a longer period without electricity. The Eskom senior management and its internal security services will engage the South African Police Service (SAPS) and local community leadership, regarding the incident and find solutions to ensure the safety of staff before services may resume," Eskom explained.

Eskom emphasised that the safety of its employees and contractors is paramount and if acts of violence or harassment persist, they will focus its efforts on supplying electricity to areas where employee safety can be assured.

WE WARNED THEM

Nkanini councillor Ayanda Tetani confirmed that entering the area as an unknown without an escort was risky due to the high crime rate and they had communicated this with Eskom.

"They went in there and didn't contact us and they got robbed, possibly by the same suspects.It is unfair that people will be left without electricity when they did nothing to Eskom. They must wait until a meeting with the police, and community safety structures before their electricity is restored. Some people have been without electricity for more than two weeks. We condemn the robberies and ask the police to search and arrest them."