The fight against illegal connections intensifies
These extensions have to pay for electricity. If they don't pay for the electricity, who is paying for it? At the end of the day we have to pay Eskom, they want their money. They (Eskom) are no laughing matter."
LYDENBURG – Thaba Chweu Municipality (TCM) is determined to eradicate all illegal electricity connections that are costing the municipality thousands of rand each month.
TCM’s acting technical director, Mr Simenhlahla Manqele, told the newspaper illegal connections resulted in about a 28 per cent revenue loss to the municipality.”TCM has contacted the Department of Energy and they have agreed to assist with funds for prepaid meter boxes.
“In Simile, the extension with the worst illegal connections, some 65 units will be installed. “This is, however, just the start.”
Manqele said their main aim at this stage was to eliminate illegal connections by supplying these extensions with prepaid meters in order to monitor and regulate electricity usage.
“We want to see revenue increase with this project. “We will also be doing this at Graskop’s Extension 5 and Mashishing. The project should start in August.”
He said the money allocated towards this project is already in the municipal coffers. “We have to use these funds. These households will be electrified as indigents.
“The meters installed will be limited to 20 ampere. These extensions have to pay for electricity. If they don’t pay for the electricity, who is paying for it? At the end of the day we have to pay Eskom, they want their money. They (Eskom) are no laughing matter.”
He said that TCM still had the payment plan in place with Eskom and that TCM had to try and pay off the outstanding debt to Eskom.
The municipality has now also appointed an electrical inspector. “He will deal with new connections and do random checks at houses.
“All new connections will be awarded with a certificate of compliance. His main focus will, however, be revenue enhancement. That is what we need to concentrate on now.”
According to Manqele most of TCM’s losses are on account of breached electricity and that is why the municipality came up with the project of supplying these extensions, where breaching is rife, with prepaid meters.
“Otherwise they will continue to breach electricity. The fact of the matter is that they are using our electricity and they are using it illegally.”
Manqele said that electricity connection was a relative quick process and that the project should take a maximum of three months to complete. “It is quick to do, quick to maintain and is cost effective.”
