More than 12 tons of illegal electricity cables were disconnected and confiscated during Operation O kae Molao in Vusumuzi Section in Tembisa on Tuesday to root out illegal electricity connections.
“Illegal electricity connections and tampering have caused many power supply interruptions across the City due to an overloaded grid in affected areas,” said Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the metro.
This results in damage to electricity supply infrastructure, such as transformers, and leads to frustration among citizens who have to go without power supply for lengthy periods.
Replacing a damaged transformer or power distribution lines is a costly and lengthy process.
The operation to remove illegal connections in the area started at 4am and lasted until 11am. A team of more than 200 personnel, comprising City officials, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), SAPS and private security formed part of the operation.
The connections were removed from Vusumuzi and Ehlanzeni hostels, Vusumuzi informal settlement and surrounding areas.
The City of Ekurhuleni loses about R800-million a year in electricity theft, in addition to losses related to damage to critical electricity distribution infrastructure, said Gadebe.
The City has intensified its electricity disconnection operations in recent months.
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