Agreement Mkhari 
By Joyce Dube
Residents of Winterveld in Mabopane, Gauteng, are struggling after being without electricity since Sunday, 23 March 2025. The ongoing blackout has left homes and businesses in distress, with no clear resolution in sight.
Since 2018, the community has been banned from accessing electricity due to widespread illegal connections, known as “izinyoka.” Many residents have been accused of bypassing meters and not purchasing electricity legally, leading to the current crisis.
In a desperate attempt to restore power, community members are being asked to raise R36,000 to hire someone to fix the issue. Meanwhile, business owners are feeling the impact, with many forced to shut down or rely on costly generators to keep their operations running.
The dangers of illegal electricity connections have also been highlighted in the past. Recently, a tragic incident claimed the lives of two family members due to unsafe wiring. This has sparked outrage, with residents demanding answers from the local councillor, whom they believe is aware of the risks but has done little to prevent them.
As frustration grows, the community continues to search for solutions, hoping for a lasting resolution to their electricity crisis.
