City Power intensifies infrastructure enforcement with major operation in Kew
A targeted City Power operation in Kew saw 3 000kg of aluminium cables, valued at about R200 000, recovered.
City Power has intensified its efforts to protect critical electricity infrastructure during a targeted enforcement operation in Kew on August 13.
The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), with teams focusing on 12th, 11th, and 10th roads in Kew.
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According to City Power, teams successfully removed illegal electricity connections along 12th and 11th roads, recovering approximately 3 000kg of aluminium cables valued at about R200 000.
The joint team also disconnected properties on 10th Road, after establishing that the electricity meters were not registered and that the properties were illegally connected to the electricity network.
City Power acting chief executive officer (CEO) Charles Tlouane said the enforcement operation forms part of the organisation’s broader commitment to protecting the electricity network and ensuring that interventions are focused on improving the reliability and sustainability of electricity supply.
“Illegal connections, electricity theft, and the vandalism of our infrastructure place enormous pressure on the electricity network, and, ultimately, affect communities that depend on a reliable electricity supply.
Our approach is therefore not only about removing illegal connections; it is about protecting the network, restoring stability, and ensuring that electricity infrastructure is available to serve communities sustainably.”
Also read: City Power at odds with resident over shocks
The intensified enforcement action follows the commitment made by Tlouane during his visit to Alexandra on August 7, where he committed City Power to an intensive intervention aimed at stabilising electricity supply, addressing illegal electricity use and infrastructure crime, improving revenue collection, and strengthening engagement with residents.
The engagement highlighted several interconnected challenges affecting Alexandra’s electricity network, including network overloading caused by illegal connections, cable theft, vandalism, damaged meter and protection boxes, meter bypassing, low electricity vending levels, and the rapid growth of informal settlements and backyard dwellings.
Tlouane said City Power remains focused on translating the commitments made during the Alexandra engagement into practical interventions on the ground.
“Our commitment to Alexandra, as outlined last week, remains unchanged. We said last week that we would intensify our presence in the area, address the factors contributing to recurring outages, and work with residents, councillors, and community structures to find sustainable solutions.
That work is already informing how we deploy our teams and how we strengthen enforcement, infrastructure protection, and community engagement.”
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