Over 300 residents of eManyaleni informal settlement in Bayview, Chatsworth have been connected to electricity as part of the aThekwini Municipality's programme to provide interim services to informal settlements.

Mayor James Nxumalo today, Sunday, 08/09/13, officially switched on the electricity connection. The provision of electricity to informal settlements is aimed at improving the lives of the people while they still await formal housing. The intervention will also assist in curbing the theft of electricity and to reduce dangerous illegal connections.

Mayor Nxumalo also handed over additional ablution facilities that have flushing toilets, showers and washing basins to the community.

He said the Municipality was rolling out the provision of electricity to different informal settlements and transit camps in eThekwini.

"When we visited eManyaleni early this year we saw the bad living conditions in the area and we undertook to make an intervention. Today we are coming back to officially switch on the electricity and hand over the new ablution blocks. This is an indication that we are serious about development and we are delivering on our promises. The provision of electricity will assist in stopping shack fires which are caused by candles and illegal connections."

"We will now be prioritizing the provision of housing in the area," he said.

Nxumalo urged residents not to temper with their electricity and to save power in order to benefit from the free basic electricity.

One of the beneficiaries, Nteboheng Tsoanyane said, "Life has changed for the better now that we have electricity. We don't have to worry about paraffin stoves and candles. We can now charge our cellphones at home without having to pay those who have electricity," she said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Nxumalo also visited the 16 families who have been given temporal housing after staying at the local community hall for over six months. Their dwellings were destroyed by floods in December last year. Nxumalo said he was happy that their living conditions have been improved and urged officials to expedite the provision of basic services closer for residents.

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Issued by the eThekwini Municipality's Communications Unit. For more information contact Municipal Spokesperson Thabo Mofokeng, on 031 311 4820 or 0827317456 or email Thabo1.Mofokeng@durban.gov.za.

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