Illegal connections removed again
All the cables were burnt to prevent it from possibly finding its way back as illegal connections.
LYDENBURG – Thaba Chweu Municipality (TCM) had to remove tons of illegal electricity connections again from the very same spot in Sabie’s Simile exactly a week after the first clean-up.
TCM with Phoenix Security, the Department of Home Affairs and the SAPS removed the connections that were again connected directly to the transformer near this settlement. According to Mr Marcus Mashego, MEC for finance and technical services, TCM will keep on removing these illegal connections on a weekly basis until this irregularity comes to a complete end.
Mr Franky Hollier of Phoenix Security told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that about 60 people formed part of this clean-up operation. “For the past couple of weeks, residents in Sabie did not have water on account of illegal connections to the water pump and transformer. We decided to perform this operation so that there would not be a repeat of the same situation.”
Mashego said these connections in Mashishing was also on the priority list of TCM. “We will not leave any stone unturned. They were made directly to transformers, from poles and even from breached electricity metres.” He said that was where the problem was. “At the end of the day, we will stop illegal connections. As residents within TCM we are entitled to basic services, but you must pay for what you get. Electricity is not for free and we are getting the heat from Eskom. We can see with our own eyes what is causing the rising account. When the bill comes from Eskom, who must pay it? We as a municipality are responsible to pay the debt.”
All the cables were burnt to prevent it from possibly finding its way back as illegal connections.
