MMC for Environment & Infrastructure Service Department Councillor Michael Sun condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence and pointing of a firearm by a Bloubosrand resident at a City Power technician on Sunday, 1 May.
“City Power technicians received reports of a multi-day power outage in the Blousbosrand area affecting several houses and despatched a team to repair the fault and restore electricity to the affected homes, power needed to be temporarily cut to a wider area so the technicians could work on the faults,” Cllr. Sun said.
“Whilst the technicians were working, a resident approached one technician and threatened him with violence should the team continue with their work. The resident went on to attack the technician and pointed a cocked pistol at the technician’s head to force him to stop working”
It is reported that the resident in question in fact had power to his house but did not want the technicians to work on the faults affecting other residents in the area.
The technicians fled the scene fearing for their lives and the outage remained unresolved. City Power reported the matter to the Douglasdale SAPS on Monday with the assistance of the local ward councillor Mark van der Merwe.
“While we understand the frustrations of residents when it comes to power outages, we absolutely condemn this irrational violent behaviour,” Cllr. Sun said.
“City Power technicians are constantly exposed to dangers to keep the lights on in Johannesburg. A gun-toting madman threatening anybody in the course of their duties is entirely unacceptable and must be dealt with the full might of the law.”
We understand that the suspect was arrested swiftly on Monday and is currently in police custody waiting to appear in court.
EISD together with City Power will ensure that the affected employees receive counselling and assistance. We will give full support to the police to ensure that the matter is investigated and the suspect prosecuted. As soon as the situation permits, City Power technicians will return to the area to continue with the delayed repairs.
Ends
Issued by:
Cllr Michael Sun
MMC Environment and Infrastructure Services
City of Joburg
For media queries, please contact:
Nickolaus Bauer
Deputy Director: Stakeholder and Communication Management
Office of the MMC Environment & Infrastructure Services
072 397 2269
Email: NickolausB@joburg.org.za
03/05/2022
