Electricity theft results in millions loss
Govan Mbeki Municipality steps up efforts to curb illegal electricity connections.
eMBALENHLE – Illegal electricity connections are rife in the township.
The practice has become a way of life for those who say they cannot afford the high electricity tariffs.
An electric contractor hired by the Govan Mbeki Municipality disconnected several households that were stealing electricity in the Mandela Section and other parts of the township in the past few days.
Cables and meter boxes that were connected illegally were removed and owners are expected to pay a fine of more than R4 000 at the municipality.
The municipality is losing millions because of illegal connections.
In the Ridge Times of 21 March it was reported that the municipality owes Eskom more than R76 million.
A resident said they cannot afford the high electricity tariffs.
“I just wonder where the municipality gets the electricity from.
“It does not make sense, its tariffs are so high and we end up having no choice, but to connect electricity illegally.”
The resident further said paraffin is expensive and it does not make sense that the municipality cuts electricity in the current economic crisis.
Another resident said: “The municipality’s electricity is too high and we cannot afford it.
“If they want to reduce the number of illegal connections, they must make electricity affordable.”
Some residents said this practice will continue because the municipality is apparently not taking strong action against those who are involved in illegal electricity connections.
“The municipality is lenient to people who are caught stealing electricity.
“This discourages those who are paying.”
People suggested that the municipality must involve Eskom and the police and have operations that are aimed at fighting electricity theft.
They said those who are caught must be prosecuted.
Municipal comment:
HIGHVELD – Mr Henry Masango, head of marketing and communications, said the municipality is suffering a huge electricity distribution loss because of illegal connections.
“As a result the smooth operation of the municipality and the delivering of quality services are severely hampered.
“This scourge is also responsible for the expensive maintenance costs.”
Mr Masango said they are losing transformers, ABC lines and other expensive equipment.
He said this scourge is mainly responsible for the overloading during winter season at the main substation in Region 3 at eMbalenhle.
Mr Masango said they have made interventions to deal will the negative impact of illegal connections and this that are currently in progress are:
* Appointment of six service providers in the three regions to deal with this problem, that is two in Bethal area, two in Secunda and Kinross area and two in eMbalenhle.
* Sealing of electricity meters. This exercise is to be intensified again and no house will be left out.
*Installations of split/smart meters. About 900 meters are operational in eMbalenhle in Extension 22 and a few in Mzinoni.
Mr Masango said there are number of interventions that are going to be made and resident will be informed about them soon.
“This is aimed at ensuring that the residents who are loyal and buying electricity are not inconvenienced as a result of actions of the people that are tampering with the network.
“We therefore call on the residents who are not connecting legally to refrain from those activities before they get caught as there will be no mercy to the transgressors.
“Heavy sanctions will be imposed as per the prescriptions and directives of the council approved by laws.”
Mr Masango said there are a number of interventions that were made by the council to meet needy residents halfway, for example the indigent policy.
“We extend an invitation to all residents to take advantage and assessed in order to receive such benefits accorded by the council.
“Moreover we would like to request the community to work together with the municipality in ensuring that this scourge becomes something of the past to prevent injuries or loss of lives, more especially to the children as some of these illegal connections are extremely unsafe, hazardous and pose a serious danger to society.”