Revolt in Boksburg as metro removes electricity meter boxes
Prepaid meter boxes were removed for failing to purchase electricity since 2017.
The metro held a three-day-long operation to disconnect illegal electricity connections in Windmill Park.
This left many households in Ward 43 without power for days.
Ekurhuleni metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the operation was conducted from July 9 to 11. It was found that although more than 240 households were not buying electricity since 2017, but had power.
“The municipality is aware the residents have since hired private electricians to reconnect electricity illegally,” said Gadebe.
Gadebe revealed that 13 of more than 240 households paid R10 205.58 re-connection fee at the metro’s offices, and had their power reconnected.
- Residents protest against disconnections
Following the disconnection of illegal electricity, residents blockaded the main entrances to the area. They blockaded Aucamp and Gelderblom streets and burnt tyres.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, admitted the residents in some households had tampered with their meter boxes to avoid paying for electricity.
“I think what the metro did was unfair because we did not receive any notification or warning letters that they would disconnect electricity.
“What’s sad is that even the indigent households had their electricity disconnected.
“Our prepaid meter boxes were taken and we were told we had to pay in order to get our meter boxes back,” said one of the affected residents.
The resident confirmed that on July 10 the residents had hired a private electrician to reconnect their power.
Ward 43 councillor Clr Bruce Reid said he has raised the matter with the council but nothing was done.
“These residents have been connecting illegally by bypassing the prepaid meter so it stops functioning.”
Reid has urged the residents to report illegal connection activities.
The councillor advised indigents to register at the council offices so that they may be charged minimum electricity rates.
“If there’s anybody whose electricity has been wrongfully disconnected, they should provide proof so that we can assist them,” Reid said.
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