A Primrose Park pensioner says she is thousands of rands in debt due to a faulty electric box.
According to Suewayba Davids, ever since a new box was installed by City of Cape Town subcontractors Maritz Electrical – based in Athlone – on 30 May, she has had to spend all her money on krag and nothing else while she gets empty promises from the company.
The 66-year-old, who lives alone since her husband’s passing, says she regularly buys R1000 worth of units a month but since the new box was installed, she has had to double her spend.
“Since the new box was put in, for the last two months, I have spent close to R4000 just on electricity,” says Suewayba.
“I bought R1000 when I got my pension but it does not even last till the 15th and then I must borrow money from family and friends.
“My husband also passed away last weekend so now there is only my pension money to pay for the electricity.
“All my money now goes for krag and I have nothing left for food.”
A management representative at Maritz Electrical, who did not want to be named, confirmed to the Daily Voice that they are contracted by the City to service the area and that the complaint will be investigated.
“We will look into the matter but the one thing we can say for sure is that it is impossible that a second-hand box was installed because we get all our materials from the City and each meter comes with a unique number that is registered to an address,” the representative says.
Phindile Maxiti, Mayco member for Energy and Climate Change, confirmed that Maritz Electrical is one of the City’s first-line response contractors and that they were called out to the property on 30 May.
However, he did not comment on the current issue.