Endumeni has reached a cul-de-sac, as rampant electricity theft gobbles up the municipality’s budget – and if the trend continues, losses could be a staggering R60 million when the financial year ends next June. “68% of the electricity distributed to Sithembile is being stolen.

So this is definitely a hot-spot, although tampering is taking place throughout Endumeni – no one is holy and all meters will be checked – but because of the huge problem in Sithembile, we have started there, backed up by the SAPS and SANDF,” he said.

“If you steal, you are a criminal. We are not here to be populists. We are here to run a municipality which must provide critical services to all residents.

We cannot do this if we are bankrupt because of uncontrolled electricity theft.” Mayor Mdluli said Council had put in place policies where offenders can ‘cleanse’ themselves if they have an illegal connection. “We encourage those to come forward and seek amnesty.

They can make arrangements to pay off an admission of guilt fine. We can put in a new meter free of charge and a fresh start can be made. Those who are genuinely indigent must also come forward and register their names so the municipality can assist them according to our policies.

” See today’s Courier, Thursday, October 8, for the full interview

Read more: Endumeni Mayor says power theft is draining municipal finances

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