The metro discovered 67 tampered meters in Sunnyside over roughly seven days during a recent by-law operation.

According to Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, the illegal activities involving stealing of electricity have cost the metro over R1-million.

Since the start of the year, the metro has undertaken weekly by-law operations to address rampant lawlessness in and around the CBD and other parts of the metro under the operation dubbed “Reclaim Our City”.

Moya said more than R1-million of stolen electricity was from 55 tampered meters.

“The operations were conducted by the City of Tshwane Energy and Electricity Department, with 55 tampered meters discovered.

This latest operation in Sunnyside forms part of targeted efforts by law enforcement to clamp down on unlawful and notorious activities in the area,” she said.

Moya also said the operation led to the shutdown of unlicensed businesses, the issuing of dozens of fines worth thousands of rands and the arrest of 19 illegal immigrants.

Regional reports show that from January 21 to 27, the city discovered 67 tampered meters at a meter tamper value of more than R1.6-million.

The metro has also conducted successful illegal disconnections in targeted areas, including Lotus Gardens and Fort West in Region 3.

The Energy and Electricity Department has scouted other areas in the metro with tampered meters.

The mayor said that increased revenue collection is crucial in improving service delivery and urged residents to not compromise the city’s electricity by tampering with the metro’s meters.

“Residents who choose to steal electricity instead of paying for it destroy efforts to improve service delivery for all residents.

The city has found a total of 2 339 tampered meters since the start of the financial year in July 2024. About 494 of these accounts were on second tamper identification,” Moya said.

The total cost of the accumulative tampering amounts to about R77.8-million.

“We still have 106 766 prepaid meters that have yet to be converted to the new token identity rollover, while 254 542 prepaid meters are vending on the converted system.

We appeal to residents not to tamper with municipal infrastructure. We will deal decisively with lawlessness targeting the city’s efforts to increase revenue collection,” Moya said.

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