Cable theft victims in Birchleigh still billed for replacements

Birchleigh residents continue to grapple with cable theft and, despite previous assurances, are still required to pay for replacing stolen cables.

In March 2025, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) faced criticism after informing residents they must pay for the replacement of stolen cables.

Failure to do so would result in prolonged power outages, as the municipality stated it would not install new cables without payment.

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Resident Anna Joubert experienced this firsthand when someone stole her household cable in the early hours of March 6.
She reported the theft a few hours later, with the assistance of her daughter.

Joubert said she thought the municipality had scrapped the stolen cable replacement fee.

However, she was surprised to be told she still had to pay for the replacement.

This was despite Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza’s announcement during his State of the City address that the fee would be scrapped.

“After reporting the matter, the CoE took no action. We made several calls to get clarity but were told to speak to the energy department.

“Only after much back and forth did we hear on May 9 that we needed to pay for the stolen cable,” said Joubert.

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“The mayor previously announced the scrapping of the fee, but we still had to pay.”

On May 12, Joubert’s daughter went to the energy department to obtain a letter authorising payment.

She went to the civic centre to make the payment and returned to the department to provide proof. All communication before and after the payment was conducted telephonically.

Joubert lives with her ailing mother, who relies on oxygen to survive. The extended power outage puts her mother’s life at risk.
According to Joubert, when she raised these concerns, she was rudely told over the phone to take her mother to a hospital for oxygen support.

Before they made the payment, the municipality and energy department appeared to shift blame, neither of them providing clear guidance.

Despite numerous calls from May 6, the family was only informed late on May 9 that payment was necessary for the replacement to proceed.

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They paid on May 12, and CoE officials finally replaced the cable the following Wednesday.

Freedom Front Plus councillor Jean Kriek and DA ward councillors Tracey Lourenco and Amanda Davison supported Joubert and her daughter throughout the ordeal.

Kriek condemned the charge, arguing it unfairly penalises residents, particularly the elderly.

“The South African Constitution states you are innocent until proven guilty; but what the municipality does implies the opposite.

“Even if you are not at fault, you must pay R1 725. This must stop; our elderly residents on pension are being forced to pay and endure days without electricity,” Kriek said.

He added that although the mayor announced the scrapping of the fee, the matter has to be returned to the council for a vote before the fee can be officially removed.

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“This is not a policy, nor is it a law. When the mayor says the fee must stop, it should be stopped,” Kriek said.

On May 10, the CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini released a statement clarifying the status of the fee.

“The city’s Energy Department has begun a council approval process to expedite the amendment and implementation of the promulgated electricity bylaw.

“This amendment will form part of the city’s budget process and requires council approval. Until then, the charge of R1 500 excluding VAT (R1 725 including VAT) will remain in place as per council’s promulgated tariff,” said Dlamini.