WOMEN at Tswaing View squatter camp in Hammanskraal are risking their lives – all for the love of Uzalo.
These mothers connect electricity illegally by themselves.
They say they are tired of waiting for government to do it.
They also say they can’t afford to miss their favourite telenovela on SABC 1.
The women said Eskom keeps disconnecting their cables but they have learnt how to reconnect them.
“We can’t lose the show as we learn a lot from it. Missing it is like losing a part of ourselves,” said one of the women.
The women admitted that what they were doing was dangerous and could land them in jail.
“We are very careful and move around with a light bulb to test if the current is strong or weak,” said Yanga Goza.
Celeste Steyn said they were promised electricity four years ago but till this day, nothing has happened.
“We are not proud of what we do but we have no choice. We also want entertainment and without electricity we can’t have it,” said Celeste.
The electricity is connected from neighbouring houses.
The SunTeam noted exposed cables connected to transformers.
Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said what the women were doing was stealing as it is against the law to connect electricity illegally.
“We advise people to be patient as we are working with government on a programme to electrify squatter camps,” said Phasiwe.
