Kya Sand left in darkness

According to Matome Mafokwane, ward councillor for ward 96, his office has received numerous complaints regarding illegal electricity connections in the settlement for over a year. Mafokwane said that on 31 August a fire broke out in section A of the settlement, due to illegal electricity connections and 14 homes were reduced to ashes.

Fortunately no lives were lost in the fire.

Mafokwane said the illegal power connections were sourced from street lights in the settlement. He said the purpose of the lighting was to reduce crime.

“The illegal power tapping by izinyoka [those who steal electricity, based on the Zulu word for snake] turned this settlement into the most dangerous place for kids, as most kids growing up in the settlement have no knowledge of how electricity operates, and worse will not be able to protect themselves against the dangers that come with illegal connections,” Mafokwane said.

Douglasdale police recently picked up four suspects in Fourways who were transporting a large amount of copper wire and streetlight poles which had been stolen from Kya Sand informal settlement.

Warrant officer Balan Muthan, head of communications for the Douglasdale police said the arrest came after the police received an anonymous tip-off. He said the suspects were in custody and would soon appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court. Mafokwane said, in consultation with City Power, a decision has been made to suspend the power supply to all street lights in Kya Sand informal settlement to avoid potential loss of lives. Mafokwane believes that the ring leaders of the threatened protest are at the forefront of the illegal connection crimes.

“We [ward 96 committee] are aware that the group is misleading the community, and [forcing] them to join in the protest or face being kicked out of the settlement,” Mafokwane said.

“We urge community members to reject this badgering attempt and report any intimidation to the nearest law enforcement agencies.”