The City of Ekurhuleni will now replace stolen and damaged electricity service connection cables free of charge for residential customers, following an announcement made during the 2025 budget speech.

The new procedure took effect on July 1 and aims to assist residents affected by cable theft while ensuring proper reporting and processes are followed.

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According to the city’s Energy Department, here’s what residents need to know:

• Report the theft: Customers must report the stolen cable to the relevant Energy Department depot and provide a police case number and reference from the call centre to confirm the theft has been reported.
• Account checks: The department will verify that the municipal account is not in arrears. For prepaid customers, electricity purchase records will be checked. If the account is in arrears, residents will need to settle the outstanding balance or provide proof of arrangements with the Finance Department before reconnection.
• Free replacement: There will be no fee for replacing the stolen cable apart from potential fees related to arrears or tampered meters. The cable will be replaced up to the point of supply as determined by the municipality.
• Access and reinstatement: If paving or landscaping needs to be removed to replace the cable, the property owner will be responsible for restoring these areas. Customers must provide consent for municipal teams to access the property to complete the replacement.
• Liability notice: The city will not be held liable for any loss or damages during the replacement process, and an affidavit from the customer may be required to confirm this before work begins.

Residents are encouraged to report cable theft promptly to minimise disruptions to electricity supply and to follow the outlined procedure to ensure a smooth reconnection process.

Also read: POWER STRUGGLE: Residents forced to pay for stolen cables

For more information, residents can contact the City of Ekurhuleni’s Energy Department at (011) 999-5599 or visit www.ekurhuleni.gov.za.