Residents worried over illegal connections
“Community members are aware and know the people who do these illegal connections because they do it in front of them.”
Residents of Hammanskraal extension 10 are worried about illegal electricity connections in the township.
A group of residents said they were concerned about children who play in the street barefoot with live cables running on the ground.
“These cables pose a danger to the community. Children play in the streets and these cables are live.
“There’s little being done by the people who do these illegal connections to cover the cables. People are afraid to even alert police because they fear they might be targeted.”
A resident in the area, Mandla Masango said it was concerning that the community has normalised the issue of illegal connections.
“No one is prepared to even contact officials or to confront the people who connect these cables. The cables are all over the ground and no one is doing anything.
“You become a target yourself when you raise these concerns in the community. You are seen as a problem. I understand people need electricity but there’s a better way to do this.”
Masango said recently they had to collect money as a community so that they could bury a child who was electrocuted to death by the illegal connections.
“We had to collect R20 at each house to assist the family with the burial. I wish the community can come together so that we can find a solution to this problem. I am worried that more people will lose their lives because of these illegal connections.”
ALSO READ: Illegal connections could lead to violence
Councillor of the area, Adam Mashapa, said the issue of illegal connections started mushrooming in 2019 when Hammanskraaal extension 10 was formalised.
Mashapa said despite residents’ claims that a child was electrocuted recently, he could not confirm it as he was not made aware of the incident.
“I am not aware that a child has died because of illegal connections in the area. However, the illegal connections issue poses a lot of danger to the community.
“Community members are aware and know the people who do these illegal connections because they do it in front of them.”
Eskom spokesperson Tumi Mashishi said an operation to remove illegal connections was conducted in this area in May 2021.
“This was a joint operation between Eskom and law enforcement agencies, such as the SAPS, metro police and our private security.
“Eskom prioritises the safety of the public and thus continuously removes illegal connections in all its areas of supply. Eskom is however faced with the challenge of some members of communities reconnecting themselves illegally to the Eskom electricity network after our technicians leave the area.”
Mashishi said Eskom is not aware of the unfortunate passing of the minor in Kekana.
“This was not brought to our attention. We would like to convey our condolences to the family of the deceased and the loved ones. One life lost is one too many. It is very concerning that innocent lives are lost as a result of illegal connections.”
ALSO READ: Tshwane calls on residents to report illegal land use
Mashishi said in addition to the removal of illegal connections, Eskom held community awareness campaigns where locals are educated about the safe use of electricity and the dangers of illegal electricity-related activities such as illegal connections.
“Eskom conducted a community education campaign in Kekana Gardens in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) before the national lockdown. These awareness campaigns were also conducted in Kenana with the Human Settlement department, SAPS and the local community leadership, also before the lockdown.”
She encouraged the public to refrain from illegally connecting to the electricity network as this is not only a criminal offence, but is also dangerous and can be fatal.
“Members of the public are also urged to report any electricity-related illegal activities to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 11 27 22.
“This is a call for change, do your part and save a life today.”
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
