The Electricity Back to Basics operation was held for about two months where a number of homes were raided for illegal electricity connections. This saw police together with various departments of the Emalahleni Municipality knocking on different houses situated at the Central Business District (CBD). Several homes had their electricity cut off due to committing this crime.
Municipal Manager, Mr Theo van Vuuren has time and time again emphasised that people committing this crime will face serious troubles with the municipality should they continue doing this. He released a statement saying that residents paying municipal and other workers to do illegal bypasses, both electricity and water and switch them on when their power gets cut off will face dire consequences. He further stated that they also find many people tempering with the kiosks to switch themselves on.
“Please note that municipal workers are not allowed to do private work and by contracting a municipal worker for that purpose, the municipality will not take any liability for anything going wrong. Should the employee be caught out, charges will be laid against the residents who have embarked on this practise.”
With the assistance from the police, residents with illegal connections and bridged meters will in future be fined for that in terms of the by-laws where criminal charges will also be laid. The municipality estimates that they lose R18 million a month only on electricity by people who continue this illegal practise hence they cannot fold their arms and do nothing about this.
About two months ago during the Electricity Back to Basics operation, one of the houses situated at Plumer Street was found with illegal electric connections. (Photo: Zita Goldswain)
He says many people continue to accommodate workers in their back rooms or so called guest houses where most of these facilities do not comply with building regulations and place additional strain on the water, electricity, sanitation and road networks which in due time the municipality would have to deal with of all this.
“Many ignore legal notices and hope that it will not be taken to court.”
When they visited nine houses last year October as part of their operation, two suspects aged 27 and 32 was arrested on charges of theft of electricity and appeared in court.
At this stage the municipality already has 180 court orders allowing them to demolish such structures. This process will commence as soon as co-operation from the public to correct the wrongs are not forthcoming. Also of great concern is that once somebody is caught out they either bribe the official to ignore them or apply for rezoning to legalise the business. In that way they buy time.
“Please note that whilst the rezoning application is considered the illegal activities must be stopped. It cannot continue in the hope that the application will be successful. As looking at most of the applications very few can be approved based on applicable laws and bylaws.”
The municipality urges people to keep on the right side of the law, you will be arrested. You have been warned.
ALSO READ:
Demolishing illegal connections
“Steal electricity and you will be arrested”
