THE City of Ekurhuleni has intensified its campaign to get rid of illegal connections across the municipality.
To date over 17 000 electricity connections have been removed since the drive started over two months ago.
Illegal connection of electricity is a major problem which has seen the municipality losing R36 million per annum. This translates to losses of about R2,8 million to R4,9 million a month.
In a bid to address this huge loss, the City embarked on a month-long education campaign in September to educate communities about the adverse effects of illegal connections where over 30 000 illegal connections were identified. The campaign has entered its second leg where the actual removal of illegal connections is being carried out.
“In spite of the dangers associated with illegally connecting electricity, the practice is still rife, especially at informal settlements,” said Sam Modiba, municipal spokesman.
Modiba said that already this year alone four children were killed in Dukathole near Germiston as a result of illegal connections while in another incident last month a 42-year-old KwaThema man was electrocuted while trying to steal electricity.
“We appeal to residents to help us fight illegal connections by reporting such incidents to 0860 543 000.”
Meanwhile, the metro is currently rolling out solar energy lighting to identified households at Ekurhuleni’s informal settlements for which no short or medium term plans are in place for relocation or upgrading.
The 10 Watt solar lighting unit consists of a solar panel, a battery control box and four LED lights. The solar panel is positioned on top of the roof but cannot be stolen because it is built in from inside the house.
The life span of the battery is three to five years. The LED lights have the capacity to keep the light shining for up to 100 000 hours.
