Cape Town, South Africa – Eskom, the South African electricity utility company, has decided to remove its staff from Site B in Khayelitsha following a violent attack that occurred on Monday. Two employees of Eskom were reportedly assaulted by members of the community during their operations in the X and XA sections of Site B. The perpetrators even went as far as to take their car keys, hindering the completion of their work.
One of the staff members sustained severe injuries during the attack and required medical attention. Apart from personal harm, an Eskom enterprise digital assistant and the keys to a vehicle were also taken, with only the latter being recovered. This incident has forced Eskom to temporarily suspend services in the area, causing potential delays in electricity restoration efforts and leading to prolonged power outages for customers.
This is not the first time that Eskom has faced such violence in the region. In a previous incident back in August 2023, services had to be suspended in areas like Khayelitsha, Delft, Belhar, Dunoon, Philippi, and Fisantekraal after one of their vehicles was attacked during a taxi strike. As a result, the company has had to withdraw its services from the area multiple times due to attacks on its employees, disrupting their operations and posing risks to their safety.
Eskom has emphasized its commitment to the safety of its employees and condemned any form of harassment towards them. The company is closely working with local authorities to review the recent incident before determining when it will be safe for their staff to return and resume operations in the affected area. This proactive approach is essential to safeguard the well-being of their employees and ensure the continuity of their services.
While Eskom deals with the aftermath of this violent incident, efforts are being made to inform the public about the impact it may have on electricity services in the region. By addressing safety concerns and collaborating with relevant stakeholders, Eskom aims to minimize risks to its personnel and enhance security measures in the communities it serves. Such incidents highlight the challenges faced by essential service providers like Eskom and underscore the importance of maintaining a safe working environment for all employees.