Lights come on for 900 Hammanskraal families

Electricity theft in Hammanskraal will finally come to an end, as 900 families now have electricity installed in partnership with Eskom.

The original housing project, done in conjunction with the local trial authorities and the city’s departments of city planning, did not have developed layout plans, resulting in no services being provided.

This haphazard development resulted in many illegal electricity connections in the area, said Infrastructure MMC Darryl Moss.

“Electricity theft is stealing from the residents of Tshwane as the income from electricity sales is the largest source of funds for service delivery in the city. Electricity theft, for which the city has already paid, thus limits the city’s ability to supply the services the residents so desperately needs,” Moss said.

Not only does the theft restrict the city and Eskom’s income, it overloads the transformers and electrical substations in the region, resulting in many power outages and trips, Moss said.

Residents in Stellenbosh, Itsoseng and Marikana area were among the affected, and Moss urged for their cooperation.

“We call on all residents to cooperate with this project and allow legal and orderly electricity provision to take place. This will allow the city to ensure a stable electricity supply, vital for economic growth and job creation.”

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