As illegal connections continue to be a growing issue for City Power, they are implementing a series of community engagement initiatives aimed at educating residents about the risks and consequences of unauthorised electrical access.

They conducted an operation on July 3 after being tipped off by a resident in Newlands.

Read more: City Power warns of impersonation scams

The entity’s spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, emphasised the importance of community participation in these efforts. “We are fostering partnerships with local communities to create a shared responsibility in protecting our electrical infrastructure,” he said. “By working together, we can ensure a safer environment for everyone.”

To facilitate this collaboration, he outlined that they have launched various education campaigns, including community imbizos and door-to-door drives. These initiatives focus on informing residents about the dangers of illegal connections and encouraging them to report suspicious activities. “We want to empower residents with knowledge and resources to help combat this issue,” Mangena said.

Additionally, the entity has introduced the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) initiative, which aims to provide qualifying indigent customers with 50kWh of free electricity each month. “This programme is designed to alleviate financial burdens and reduce the temptation for illegal connections.”

He added that they are also leveraging digital platforms to disseminate information about the risks associated with illegal connections. “We are committed to keeping the community informed and engaged in our efforts to protect Johannesburg’s electricity infrastructure.”

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