ERMELO – Highvelder recently reported on the 100KVA/11Kv transformer, near the municipal offices in Wesselton, that caught fire on March 15 due to an illegal connection.

The newspaper raised questions to the Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) about its plan of action against illegal connections in town.

“There was an overload on the transformer, caused by the illegal connections from the nearby informal settlement,” said Mr Mandla Zwane, spokesman for MLM.

The estimated cost of the damages is R85 000.

He added that the municipality did not open a criminal case as the entire settlement is tampering with the connection at the transformer.

The transformer was replaced at a cost of R109 000.

Mr Zwane added that the municipality remove illegal connections from time to time with the assistance of the local police.

Read the complete article in the Highvelder newspaper.