The City of Ekurhuleni’s energy and police departments have, in conjunction with SAPS, private security and several municipal contractors, disconnected and removed all the illegally connected power cables in Angelo informal settlement, on June 8.
EMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Kelebogile Thepa said they raided the area and removed the illegal connections after receiving tip-offs that many people in the area have illegally connected their homes to the city’s power grid.
“We are planning to conduct a similar blitz in other identified illegal connection hotspots. And most importantly police visibility will be intensified in those areas to prevent reconnections, pounce on those responsible and bring them to book for their crimes.
“This law enforcement initiative will not stop until we get rid of all the illegal electricity connections in the city,” said Thepa.
Thepa indicated that the city has partnered with several law enforcement agencies who are experts in dealing with this situation and the strong team will not tolerate any criminal acts.
Meanwhile, a resident of Angelo, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation, told the Advertiser that the illegally connected cables criss-crossing the area are posing a serious danger to families and children in particular.
“The people who are illegally connecting these cables have in the past offered to connect my home in exchange for money, but I declined because I understand that their connections are illegal and dangerous.
“Apparently they charge a R500 connection fee, and thereafter you have to pay them R250 monthly fee just for being illegally connected. No, I can’t accept it. This illegal connections thing started recently. I lived in the area for more than 15 years without electricity.
“I don’t understand why people here are accepting these illegal connections because they have children and we have read and heard stories about children being electrocuted by illegally connected cables in other informal settlements,” said the resident.
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