Lerato Mailoane
Swaneville residents, who have endured over two years of darkness, can finally breathe a sigh of relief as Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, in collaboration with the power utility Eskom, has successfully initiated the process of replacing transformers to reconnect all households to the electricity grid.
This effort aims to bring back the light to all Gauteng residents by December.
On Tuesday afternoon, Premier Lesufi personally visited Swaneville, Krugersdorp, to oversee the start of the replacement of transformers in the area.
Large portions of the township have been without power since December 2021, when their transformers were damaged and some vandalised.
"I am here to oversee the agreement reached between government, Eskom and City Power to reconnect the people to electricity," Lesufi declared during his visit.
"When I visited the area to address flooding of houses, residents told me that they are living in the dark as transformers have either been damaged or vandalised."
Following that visit, Lesufi met with Eskom and City Power to understand why some residents in the province have endured prolonged electricity shortages, even outside loadshedding periods.
"Even when we discuss loadshedding, these residents don't know what we are talking about as they are always in the dark."
Eskom Gauteng spokesperson Amanda Qithi clarified that due to the high costs of transformer replacements, households are required to pay a penalty of R500 per household. Once 60% of the residents in the area have paid, Eskom will proceed with transformer replacements.
After consulting the entities, Lesufi said the provincial government secured funding of R1.2 billion to replace all transformers in townships that have been in the dark.
The premier said there are currently over 2.5 million people who don't have electricity in the province due to this challenge.
"This is a problem in many townships in the province, but the problem is prevalent in Kagiso, Orange Farm and parts of Soweto like Dobsonville. We are starting this project here, and we will install 41 transformers in Kagiso as a whole," he announced.
When installing the new transformers, Eskom will start with the communities that have met the 60% payment threshold.
Lesufi urged residents to take proper care of the new transformers to mitigate future issues. 
According to Lesufi, Eskom will install larger transformers capable of handling heavier loads, reducing the likelihood of power interruptions due to illegal connections. 
In addition, Lesufi said they will be coordinating with law enforcement agencies to conduct regular patrols to safeguard the new transformers from vandalism.
He sternly warned potential infrastructure thieves that the new transformers are equipped with tracking devices to catch those involved in the theft.
Furthermore, he encouraged residents to refrain from illegal electricity connections and instead reach out to the municipality for legitimate connections, as illegal usage can overload and damage the transformers.
Lesufi also announced the reopening of the indigent register in all municipalities, aimed at assisting those who cannot afford electricity. The new records will be linked to Home Affairs and banking institutions to prevent abuse and fraud.
Local Councillor Lwando Resha said he is relieved and pleased with how the province has come to the plight of residents.
"We have had a challenge for residents to pay R500 deals to pay part of fixing the transformers because many of the residents are unemployed. We have also been experiencing high levels of cable theft, but communities have come on board and are now guarding their communities."
Resident Rebecca Nape said she is pleased to have transformers as they haven't had power since last year.
"When the lights come back on, it will feel like Christmas; we will celebrate with a braai".