City of Ekurhuleni waives R1 500 reconnection fee for stolen residential electricity cables

In a move to support residents affected by electricity cable theft, the City of Ekurhuleni has announced the cancellation of the R1 500 (excluding VAT) reconnection fee for residential electricity customers whose service connection cables have been stolen.

The revised policy, which took effect on July 1, ensures that residential customers will now receive free replacement of stolen service cables, provided that specific conditions are met.

The initiative, implemented by the city’s Energy Department, is aimed at relieving financial pressure on residents affected by increasing incidents of cable theft.

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According to the city, the new measure does not apply to business customers, who will continue to be quoted individually for stolen cable replacements.

To qualify for the free replacement, residential customers must:
1. Report the stolen service connection cable at the relevant Energy Department depot.
2. Provide a reference number from the municipal call centre.
3. Submit a police statement and case number confirming the theft.
4. Ensure their municipal account is not in arrears. If in arrears, payment or proof of payment arrangements with the Finance Department are required before work can proceed.

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Prepaid electricity users are also covered under the policy. However, if the meter has been bypassed or tampered with, the city will first compile a back-billing report, and the customer will be liable for any fees related to unauthorised usage before a cable replacement is approved.

The replacement of the stolen service cable will be completed up to the point of supply determined by the municipality.

In cases where landscaping or paving needs to be removed to access the connection point, residents will be responsible for restoring their property once the work is completed.

To further protect the city from legal claims, residents will be required to sign an affidavit releasing the municipality from liability for any potential damage or loss during the replacement process.

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The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) continues to work closely with other departments to combat cable theft and urges residents to report suspicious activity.

This policy is part of the city’s broader effort to enhance service delivery and improve access to essential utilities, particularly in the face of ongoing infrastructure-related crimes.