More than 1 000 households are expected to be electrified by the end of 2018 in Blackburn Village Informal Settlement, this according to Ward 35 councillor, Heinz de Boer.
The electrification project in the settlement situated along the N2 freeway was unveiled by eThekwini Mayor, Zandile Gumede in July. Cllr de Boer said the project was the start to reshaping the settlement that has been riddled by illegal connections.
“Illegal connections are a huge problem in informal settlements. There is a council policy in place for electrification of informal settlements as an interim service. I am very excited to see this development unfold,” he said.
According to de Boer, the infrastructure installation will include the electricity poles, wiring and individual pre-paid boxes. EThekwini Municipality’s acting head of communications, Mandla Nsele, said Blackburn Village Informal Settlement has been earmarked for prepaid electricity after years of appeals from the residents.
The city aims to roll out more than 18 000 electricity connections to different parts in eThekwini. “Informal settlements are an urban reality and may be the only form of housing available to many residents in the medium term. These settlements are temporary until such time that formal housing becomes available or will be upgraded into formal housing at a later stage,” Nsele said.
He added that the city has had a spate of illegal connections and this was one of the ways the city was curbing this illegal practice.
Community leader in the settlement, Nancy Nkaqa said she was excited that they would finally have legal power. She said they have experienced may tragedies over the years due to illegal connections.
“I am happy that we will no longer have to avoid illegal wires on the streets and that our children can now play free knowing that they are safe from illegal wires,” Nkaqa added.
