Illegally connected power cables, mostly running underground in Dukathole, were removed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The multi-disciplinary operation was led by the metro’s energy department and the EMPD Cable Theft Unit.
The operation was aimed at restoring a fully functional electrical network to the area and its surrounds after four transformers exploded recently due to the heavy load caused by the illegal connections.
The operation was part of the metro’s plans to ensure that all illegal connections are uprooted before technicians commence with upgrading the damaged infrastructure.
The illegal connections are the main cause of the overloaded electricity supply grid which results in persistent power supply interruptions in the area.
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Electrical infrastructure components such as transformers, switchgear and cables have also been destroyed.
Meters for the illegal connections were also discovered.
“Plans are underway to install new transformers and other damaged electrical equipment to stabilise the supply of electricity.
“However, in order to do so we need to work on a network that has not been tampered with through illegal connections, hence we started with the disconnection operation,” said MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy Clr Tiisetso Nketle.
Ekurhuleni loses close to R800-million a year in unaccounted electricity caused by illegal power connections across the metro.
Residents are encouraged to report any illegal connections or suspicion of illegal connection activities through the municipal call centre on 086 054 3000.
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