ILLEGAL electricity connections in Palmridge, Eden Park, Katlehong, Thokoza and surrounding areas are a massive problem.
These illegal activities have been going on for many years and the metro has done nothing constructive to solve the problem.
There was an audit done a few years ago, but the results of this audit were never presented to the council; I’m sure you can guess why.
These illegal connections have cost the council millions of Rands in lost revenue (tax-payer’s money), but they seem completely uncaring and disinterested.
The metro needs to take a strong stance against all offenders and disconnect all the illegal connections with immediate effect.
Furthermore, the poor pensioners who earn a meagre amount struggle to pay for electricity, while others steal it and some places get free power “legally” – again paid for by the taxpayers and others who pay for electricity.
Locks on the safety boxes get broken and these criminals keep getting away with it.
The responsible parties should be punished.
We, the legal electricity consumers, would like to make a plea to the council to resolve this urgent matter immediately.
The law-abiding residents of above areas
Themba Gadebe, City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson responded as follows:
The Eden Park area is serviced by the Alberton distribution business unit and Palm Ridge is served by the Germiston distribution business unit; however, the principle in dealing with illegal connections remains the same for all areas.
The City of Ekurhuleni encourages its residents to report any allegations or suspicions of illegal connections to the municipal call centre on 086 054 3000 or at their nearest customer care centre.
“Once this has been reported, the city’s energy department will investigate the matter and issue the applicable tamper notice and disconnect the power supply.
Section 5 of the miscellaneous charges in the 2017/18 electricity tariffs indicates the applicable fees.
5. Meter tamper events – remedial action charges:
5.1. For removing and re-instating a residential customer connection that has been removed due to tampering by the customer:
Estimated cost of material, labour and transport + 10% with a minimum charge of R 2 450.00 (VAT exclusive).
Note 1: The connection reinstated will not necessarily be identical to the one removed.
Note 2: The second tampering event will see the above fee doubled, the third event will see the above fee tripled.
Note 3: The fourth event will lead to removal of the service connection and customer will re-apply for a new service connection and all applicable cost will be for the customer account.
Note 4: The provisions contained in other council policies and by-laws will be in addition to the points listed.
5.2. For removing and re-instating a business customer connection that is found in a tampered state:
Estimated cost of material, labour and transport + 10% with a minimum charge of: 1 MVA – R87 719.30; 500 kVA and 1 MVA – R26 315.79; 100 kVA and 500 kVA – R13 157.89; 100 kVA – R13 157.89 (all VAT exclusive).
Note 1: The second tampering event will see the above fee doubled, the third event will see the above fee tripled.
Note 2: The fourth event will lead to removal of the service connection and customer will re-apply for a new service connection and all applicable cost will be for the customer account.
Note 3: The provisions contained in other council policies and by-laws will be in addition to the points listed.
In the case of large numbers of illegal connections in a specific area the Revenue Services section of Energy Department will carry out a removal of illegal connections operation in conjunction with service providers, the EMPD and SAPS.
Transgressors may also be criminally prosecuted and if found guilty, may face a lengthy prison sentence.”
Nothing, however, was said about many or most of these residents who have no actual physical address to be able to adhere to all these “laws”.
Also Read:
R10 added as fixed charge on pre-paid electricity
All residents to get prepaid electricity meters
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