Cape Town, South Africa – Eskom has evacuated its personnel from Site B in Khayelitsha after a violent assault occurred on Monday. The incident involved two employees who were confronted by members of the community while conducting operations in the X and XA sections of Site B.
During the attack, the employees were reportedly assaulted, and their car keys were taken, hindering their ability to carry out their duties. One staff member sustained serious injuries and required medical attention. Additionally, an Eskom enterprise digital assistant, along with the keys, was taken, although only the vehicle keys have since been recovered.
Following this distressing event, Eskom made the decision to temporarily suspend services in the area. As a consequence, the restoration of electricity may be delayed, resulting in prolonged outages for customers in the affected areas. The company emphasized the importance of the safety of its employees and condemned any form of harassment towards them.
Eskom has a history of withdrawing its services from locations where its employees have faced violence. A similar incident took place in August 2023 when services had to be suspended in various areas, including Khayelitsha, Delft, Belhar, Dunoon, Philippi, and Fisantekraal, due to an attack during a taxi strike.
The utility company affirmed its commitment to collaborating with local authorities to assess the situation before determining when staff can safely return to resume operations in Site B. It is essential for Eskom to prioritize the well-being of its employees amid such challenges.
In response to these concerning events, the Western Cape Government has allocated R116.6 million towards reducing reliance on Eskom, indicating a broader effort to improve energy security in the region. This development underscores the importance of diversifying energy sources and enhancing infrastructure to mitigate risks associated with such disruptions.