Residents in Ikageng have recently been experiencing power outages due to illegal electricity connections to transformers.
According to William Maphosa, municipal spokesperson, last Wednesday, 24 June, the municipality’s Electrical Section received a call of a power outage in Ikageng, Sonderwater.
“Upon investigating we found out that there is a transformer where the breaker had tripped. These breakers trip because of overload caused by illegal connections. There are un-serviced community members who are illegally connecting themselves to the low voltage side of the distributions lines,” said Maphosa.
This results in an overload and causes the beakers to constantly trip. The other illegal electricity connection was connected directly to a High Mast light in a nearby area.
As a result, residents who receive power legitimately from the transformer, are regularly without power. Meanwhile, others suffered the loss of appliances that were destroyed due to the illegal electricity connections.
“The Electricity Section went to the site last Thursday, 25 June, to restore the power. The officials were met with opposition from community members, who seem to be connecting illegally to the power sources. Workers were threatened and stones were thrown at their vehicle. Consequently, they had no option but to withdraw the vehicle from the site for their own safety as well as that of municipal property,” said Maphosa.
Illegal electricity connections have led to several fatalities and severe injuries. The municipality is pleading with community members to please refrain from illegal connections, as it is against the law.
“Government has gone out of its way to help those who cannot afford services because of unemployment and poverty to access their fair provision of services in a legal manner.” Maphosa appeals to those who qualify to go to the municipality, and register with the municipal indigent roll.
