The KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs has warned the public to put an end to the practice of illegal electricity connections because these connections are putting additional pressure on the national grid which leads to load shedding.

The MEC for COGTA Nomusa Dube- Ncube made the statement as yet another person was killed by an illegal electrical connection in the province. A loose cable which was allegedly connected to a neighbour’s corrugated iron roof killed a woman in Kwadukuza municipality.

“We are with the family of Princess Ntuli of Kwadukuza in their grief and we are optimistic that our law enforcement agencies will put those who are responsible for this unfortunate death behind bars.

“We have consistently urged our communities to refrain from connecting electricity illegally and to acquire their electricity legally. We have had numerous incidents where children young as five have lost their lives due to the negligence of adults in the community.

“We need to remember that all those who are connecting electricity illegally in the community are doing so at a risk to the entire community. We are imploring law abiding residents to report illegal electricity connections because ultimately if they do not, they will pay a heavy price,” said Dube-Ncube.

In Endumeni, illegal connections cost ratepayers over R23-million a year.