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Cape Town - It has been a vexatious six months without electricity at the Khumalo house, but power has finally been restored.
After 14:00 on Monday Eskom technicians reconnected electricity to Simone Khumalo's house in Khayelitsha in Cape Town.
"We are very happy to have our electricity reconnected. Our dignity has been restored," the owner’s son, Shorn Khumalo told Fin24.
"We are happy that the matter has been partially resolved," Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe told Fin24.
Khayelitsha is one of the biggest townships in the country, where it is believed that the lack of electricity often leads to illegal electricity extensions.
Eskom cut off electricity to the Khumalo’s house in February due to the meter box being tampered with. This was after the family claimed that they reported the faulty meter in 2013, days after it was installed. The Khumalo family was fined R12 000 for tampering with the meter.
FULL STORY: Family suing Eskom ordered to pay 2 years' fees - Phasiwe
However, Khumalo, approached the Public Protector in March to investigate the matter.
The Public Protector’s preliminary report in July said Eskom should reverse the fee, immediately reconnect the household and calculate a fair repayment of fees owed by the Khumalos for the two years they did not pay for electricity.
The report indicated that Eskom’s conduct constituted maladministration, abuse of power and amounts to improper conduct.
"We are waiting on the final report from the Public Protector and then we will then apply those recommendations," said Phasiwe.
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Eskom tried to reconnect the house to the grid last month, but technicians were chased away.
Khumalo wanted the power utility to follow "business etiquette" and set an appointment to restore the electricity connection.
"Eskom sent their customer service manager and supervisor to oversee their technicians. They were also accompanied by the Public Protector Western Cape Representatives," he told Fin24 on Monday.
He added that the family's battle with Eskom is not yet over.
"Is a simple re-connection enough to hold the parastatal accountable? Is that even accountability?" he asked.
FULL STORY: Family calls on others to stand up to Eskom's 'abuse of power'
"We are seeking legal accountability in a form of financial compensation for suffering, lifestyle inconvenience, trauma and expenses accumulated in the past months."
Khumalo is of the view that the months-long ordeal with Eskom posed a serious threat to his mother's mental well-being, who he said was suffering from depression for over 25 years.
"I'm pretty sure you are aware of stats and where the health condition of a depression patient lies when traumatised. It was insensitive and careless of the parastatal to act with abuse and maladministration towards my family," he said.
The matter, said Khumalo, has officially been registered with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the departments of energy and public enterprises.
He said the family has also received confirmation and support from the office of the minister in the presidency responsible for women to pursue legal action against Eskom.
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