RABIE RIDGE RESIDENTS PROTEST OVER POWER OUTAGES – POWER RESTORED

Rabie Ridge residents took to the streets in the early hours of Thursday, 20 March 2025, protesting against ongoing power outages that had left them without electricity for over two weeks.

Protesters blocked Stilt Avenue and Freedom Drive, preventing cars from passing and causing major traffic in Rabie Ridge and neighbouring areas, including Ivory Park, President Park, and Ebony Park. The impact was felt on major routes such as Boshoff and Modderfontein Roads, which were gridlocked.

Rabie Ridge SAPS attempted to intervene and disperse the protesters, who were turning cars away. However, tensions escalated, leading police to open fire on the protesters.

CITY POWER RESPONDS

City Power, which supplies electricity to the area, addressed the issue following the day’s protest action. Power was eventually restored later in the day.

City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, attributed the unscheduled outages to recent wet weather and illegal connections, particularly from informal settlements in the vicinity like Kanana.

According to City Power, only 5% of Rabie Ridge residents legally pay for electricity, while the remaining 95% use illegal connections, which have put an extreme strain on the grid, leading to equipment failures and infrastructure damage.

“Illegal connections are not only dangerous but also extremely costly. They lead to frequent equipment failure and the need to replace infrastructure faster than it can be replenished,” said Mangena.

City Power has deployed contractors to address the waterlogging issue at the Rabie Ridge Switching Station, which has contributed to the outages. However, due to safety concerns during the protest, repair work was halted and is expected to resume on Monday, 24 March 2025.

PLANS TO NORMALISE POWER SUPPLY

To address ongoing power challenges, City Power has outlined plans to install smart prepaid meters in Rabie Ridge and surrounding areas, including parts of Kanana, where illegal connections are common.

By implementing prepaid meters, residents will be able to purchase electricity credits in advance, helping manage consumption effectively while also reducing strain on the grid.

Mangena assured residents that City Power remains committed to resolving the issues and collaborating with community representatives for a long-term solution.

At the time of publication, power had been restored in Rabie Ridge following the protest. However, City Power urges residents to report any remaining outages and avoid illegal connections that could further compromise electricity supply.