‘Cowboy’ connections leave residents out of pocket

Not only are illegal power connections in the area costing the municipality around R25-million a year, these are also costing residents who have lost appliances because of ‘cowboy connections’ in the neighbourhood.
In March Miss Xaba, a resident of extension 18, and three of her neighbours reported to the municipality that another neighbour had an illegal electricity connection in their home.

The municipality sent out a team to check on the allegations and found that the house had been illegally connected to the main substation in the area. The power was then cut in the area while the connection was removed.
The illegally connected resident paid a fine of R4 000 and the power was restored and that’s when the problems started.

“When the electricity came back most of our electric appliances were damaged – my microwave, kettle, TV, fridge, iron and lights,” said Miss Xaba, adding that the affected residents reported the matter to Ward 2 Councillor, Thulani Mahaye.
“The following day, the Municipal Technical Department said we would be compensated for our loss and an inspector came around and took photos of our damaged goods. However, that’s the last we heard. We have never received compensation and I am a domestic worker who earns R1 000 a month. I simply cannot afford to replace my appliances. Not long ago, I had to pay R750 to have my fridge repaired.”
Miss Xaba also claims that when Mr Mahaye takes her calls he says he is ‘constantly’ asking the municipality what is causing the delay in compensating the residents.

Mr Mahaye told the Courier that he had reported the matter and was told by the Electrical Department that the matter is still under investigation.
The Courier has asked the municipality for comment. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.