On Monday, 19 February, four technicians from City Power allegedly faced a harrowing incident when they were robbed at gunpoint in Tshepisong.
The technicians were en route to replace a faulty pole transformer in Block 5A (Ebumnandini) when the incident occurred.
Violent Ambush:
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena disclosed that three assailants ambushed the technicians, forcibly taking away their cellphones and wallets.
The violent nature of the robbery compelled the technicians to abandon their mission and return to the Roodepoort SDC (Service Delivery Centre).
Impact on Service Duration:
Regrettably, the incident not only posed a threat to the safety of the technicians but also resulted in a prolonged outage.
Mangena highlighted that an assessment would be conducted to ascertain the safety of returning workers to carry out the necessary repairs.
Recurring Threats to City Power Employees:
This unfortunate event follows a similar incident just over two weeks ago, where City Power technicians were hijacked and robbed in Lenasia South.
During that incident, three technicians testing faulty cables in the area were attacked at gunpoint, and the hijackers fled with an official vehicle.
Employee Safety at the Core:
Expressing concern over the escalating threats, Mangena emphasized that City Power employees are increasingly becoming victims of this criminal trend.
He mentioned that the entity has taken steps to support affected employees, providing counseling services and additional measures as needed.
Potential Operation Reevaluation:
In response to the growing danger, Mangena hinted at the possibility of City Power reassessing its operations, particularly in high-risk areas.
The disturbing incidents are deemed unsustainable, prompting the utility to consider withdrawing teams from areas where their safety is compromised.
The rise in violent attacks against City Power technicians is not only a threat to the individuals involved but also raises questions about the broader safety protocols and security measures in place.
City Power’s contemplation of reassessing operations underscores the serious and concerning nature of these incidents, potentially impacting the efficiency and reliability of essential services.