News24 | Eskom pulls services from Cape Town suburb after attack on employees

Eskom suspended services after its team was attacked in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. (William Horne/Netwerk24)

• Two Eskom employees were attacked while restoring power to a section in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Monday.
• One of them sustained serious injuries during the incident.
• Eskom has since withdrawn its services from the area.

Eskom has withdrawn from Site B in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, after staff members were attacked on Monday, leaving one employee severely injured.

The power utility said it had temporarily suspended its operations in the X and XA sections of Site B following the incident.

In a statement, Eskom said two of its staff members were assaulted by "individuals from the community".

The attackers also allegedly took the staff members' vehicle keys, which prevented them from completing their work.

"One of the employees sustained severe injuries and is currently receiving medical attention. During the incident, an Eskom enterprise digital assistant (a specialised mobile computing device) was also taken along with the keys, however, only the vehicle keys have been recovered," the utility said.

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The temporary suspension of services is likely to delay electricity restoration efforts, and customers may experience prolonged periods without electricity.

"Eskom will be working closely with local authorities while reviewing the incident before deciding when staff may re-enter the area to resume operations. Eskom strongly condemns the harassment of its employees, and their safety will always remain our highest priority," the statement said.

This is not the first time the power utility has withdrawn services from an area due to violence toward its employees.

In August 2023, Eskom suspended its services in Khayelitsha, Delft, Belhar, Dunoon, Philippi and Fisantekraal after a vehicle was petrol-bombed during an ongoing taxi strike.