The shop owner apparently hired two South African men, paying them R2 000 to illegally connect thin, power wires to a nearby high mast in Ramaphosa informal settlement.
Residents noticed an excavator digging a trench from the high mast to the spaza shop, and laying power cable underground, on June 20.
The curious residents contacted ward councillor Charlie Crawford to find out about the construction.
Crawford, along with the Advertiser, investigated the matter, and it emerged that the men were hired by the shop owner to connect electricity, allegedly illegally, to his spaza shop.
The men know to the Advertiser, admitted responsibility and confessed that the shop owner offered them money to carry out the illegal job.
Municipal employees confirmed that the shop owner will be punished.
The wires were also tested, but were found not to be live, apparently because the high mast only works at night.
No comment has yet been received from the shop owner.
Other shack dwellers in the meantime approached Crawford, and said if foreigners could have electricity, why couldn’t they have such a privilege?
Furious Crawford says the practice of illegal connections does not only compromise security of supply, but pose a danger to innocent residents.
Crawford also calls upon the residents of his ward to take action against electricity theft by reporting it.
Residents can send tip-offs to the anonymous tip-offs line on 32211, where residents can give details of any suspected activity around electricity theft.
“Such a crime affects the lives of ordinary citizens. It has a negative impact on economic-growth, putting jobs and food security at risk,” said Crawford.
