HOMELESS people often erect shacks and other structures next to transformers to keep warm during cold nights.
And a homeless man in Bakerton, Ekurhuleni, has been doing just that for 10 months.
Transformers generate heat as they transfer electricity from one circuit to another, and people seek comfort next to these machines.
But this is a dangerous thing to do.
A homeless man has created such a structure in Bakerton, and residents said he had been sleeping next to the transformer for months.
They shared that there was a time it caught fire after he made one next to it when he was cooking.
“The transformer has also exploded twice, and we fear it might eventually kill him,” said one resident.
Daily Sun went to the area to speak to the man, but only found his washed clothes hanging in the sunshine.
“During the day, he goes out to look for food,” said another resident.
Later in the afternoon when he came back, he was not willing to speak to the People’s Paper. He just said he had no heater and the transformer kept him warm.
“We live on the streets.
“People who are complaining about me are sleeping in their homes,” he said.
Residents said the man cooked regularly and they were not certain if this affected the transformer.
“It has exploded twice, but luckily it was fixed quickly.
“We wish authorities could intervene,” said another resident.
Zweli Dlamini, who is the spokesman for the City of Ekurhuleni, said they will investigate the matter to see what action can be taken.
