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Newlands residents raise alarm over illegal electricity connections

As illegal electricity connections plague Newlands, residents resorted to City Powers tip-off line for immediate action. City Power responded to said information by disconnecting the illegal electricity connections to improve security measures.

Newlands residents sounded the alarm over rampant illegal electricity connections in their area, highlighting specific properties that have become problematic.

Resident Jeanette Vermaak highlighted a number of properties in the area that are under scrutiny.

Read more: City Power under the microscope as entity rates itself almost 4/5

She urged City Power to put a stop to it. “We could save a lot of electricity for the paying customers, and stop this overloading on the grid, as there are so many other properties in Newlands not connected legally to the grid.”

In response to these concerns, City Power removed illegal connections.

Isaac Mangena, the spokesperson for City Power, emphasised the importance of community vigilance in tackling these issues. City Power has created an anonymous tip-off line to report suspected illegal connections, theft, vandalism, or any suspicious activity involving electrical infrastructure.

“When a tip-off is received, City Power’s team evaluates the information to identify the location and type of property involved. They assess the situation and proceed to remove any illegal connections. A security team monitors the site to prevent reconnections, and if such activity is detected, arrests may follow.”

A City Power employee on site in Newlands.

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Mangena further confirmed that in high-risk areas, operations are supported by the JMPD and City Power’s risk security team, to ensure safety during these interventions. The importance of tip-offs cannot be overstated, as they play a crucial role in protecting infrastructure and ensuring a reliable power supply.

“Safety is a top priority during disconnection operations. Teams are equipped with the necessary resources and personnel to ensure that operations are conducted safely and effectively. To combat vandalism and cable theft, City Power has adopted a multi-faceted security strategy. This includes intelligence-led joint operations, armed response teams, physical security presence at critical substations, and community engagement initiatives.”

By fostering strong partnerships with communities and implementing security measures like alarms and CCTV systems, the strategy aims to create a sense of shared responsibility in safeguarding electrical infrastructure, according to Mangena.

Ward 82 councillor Andrew Marais added that illegal electricity connections are a problem, not only in Newlands, but also in the surrounding suburbs.

“City Power’s practice of using private contractors to attend to electrical repairs has given many operators knowledge of the electrical infrastructure in the area and how to work with it. Not all residents appreciate that these practices are depriving City Power of the funds which are essential to enable it to maintain, upgrade, and repair the infrastructure, in order to provide a reliable and sustainable supply of electricity.”

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Related article: City Power revenue drive disconnects defaulters who are millions in debt

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