Lekwa Municipality wins court battle over illegal electricity reconnection, issues warning to offenders
The Lekwa Local Municipality has secured a legal victory against Aaron Mgudu Ngwenya, who illegally reconnected electricity after disconnection for non-payment.
The Lekwa Local Municipality (LLM) has won its court case against Aaron Mgudu Ngwenya, who illegally reconnected his electricity after it was disconnected.
Ngwenya’s electricity was cut off in April due to non-payment. At the time the case was opened, he owed the municipality R160 000 for services. After being disconnected, Ngwenya reconnected the electricity multiple times.
When municipal officials returned to the breaker box near his house, they found that he had cut through the lock they had placed and replaced it with his own, blocking access.
According to Lubabalo Majenge, communications officer for the LLM, Ngwenya took the matter to court on May 6, requesting that his electricity be restored within 24 hours and asking for a court order to prevent the municipality from interfering with the supply.
“He alleged that the municipality acted unlawfully in disconnecting the supply,” said Majenge.
The municipality opposed the application and the matter went to court.
After a swift ruling on June 13, the court found that the municipality had acted lawfully and within its rights. Ngwenya was ordered to repay his full municipal account, including fines for tampering with municipal infrastructure.
Electricity theft affects not only the municipality but every resident connected to the grid. At a community briefing in Ext 6 on June 13, Executive Mayor Sifiso Mngemezulu addressed the issue.
“Illegal electricity connections are a major cause of power outages and overloads,” explained Mngemezulu.
The meeting aimed to address electrical issues in the area and inform the community about the consequences of electricity theft. The municipality sought to find common ground with residents and explain the legal and technical repercussions.
“Illegal connections put lives at risk and cripple our infrastructure.”
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