Klopperpark residents aggrieved over illegal connections

Klopperpark residents were up in arms when community members excavated a road to connect electricity illegally from a street pole.

During the day, neighbours of a residence on Sonning Street noticed that men were excavating the street.

Community members showed up in large numbers later in the day to put an end to the criminal activity.

They began excavating a track from their yard across the road to the pole.

ALSO READ: City clamps down on illegal connections by replacing electricity meters

“They had a cable ready to be laid on the trench already dug,” said Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro.

“The cables were confiscated by EMPD who was summoned to the area.

“They also looked into the property in question and found further illegal connections inside in addition to bypassing the meter,” said Guerreiro.

Guerreiro continued to say that these behaviours are observed throughout the ward or city as people connect to municipal infrastructure illegally and bypass their electricity meters.

“During the winter, we see people going above and beyond to have access to power regardless of damage to infrastructure caused.

“These residents did not only attempt to connect illegally but they also excavated a public road. As a result, the city will now have to pay for unnecessary repairs to repair the damage.

“The Klopperpark community has experienced power outages in the past, which have been resolved. We are not likely to experience such ‘nightmare’ situations because there aren’t many people who obliging to the rules.

ALSO READ: City’s operation against illegal connections in Mabondeni causes tension

“It is thought that the owner of the house has multiple properties, but he was unavailable when he was sought out,” said Guerreiro.

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni requesting comment by June 14 at 10:00.
By the time of going to print, no comment had been received.

.