Residents have until month end to regularise illlegal electricity connections
During the amnesty period, customers are also encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to settle their municipal accounts.
The Tshwane metro has given residents involved in unlawful electricity connections until the end of the month to come forward and own up to their actions.
This follows the metro’s announcement of a one-month amnesty, urging those who have tampered with their meters to come forward and regularise their connections without incurring penalties.
MMC for Finance Eugene Modise acknowledged that these illegal connections often stem from necessity rather than malicious intent.
“We recognise that illegal connections are not always done out of malice but often stem from the rising cost of living for our residents and those across the country,” he said.
Modise emphasised the importance of accountability in this initiative.
He said that implicated residents should visit municipal customer care offices to report their illegal connections.
Residents will apply for the normalisation of their meters and then earn a tamper-fee exemption.
“The city has conducted over 66 448 disconnections since October 2024, which proves that many residents are struggling to pay their utility bills.”
Image: x.com/ @@eugene_modise
To address this pressing issue, Modise said the coalition government presented a report to Council on February 28, which resulted in the passing of an incentive and debt-relief scheme.
He said this scheme aims to discourage electricity meter tampering, commonly referred to as illegal connections.
“During the amnesty, which ends on March 31, customers are also strongly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to settle their municipal accounts,” he said.
He added that this can be done by visiting the nearest municipal office or by emailing settlement requests to creditcontrol@tshwane.gov.za or debtcollection@tshwane.gov.za.
Modise further assured residents that those who voluntarily report tampering with their electricity meters will qualify for a tamper fee waiver, provided they agree to the installation of a new meter and protective device.
He also clarified that any outstanding debt will be managed according to the metro’s standard credit control and debt collection policy.
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