Power theft spirals at local informal settlement
Redhill residents have been warned about the spike in cable theft following the seizure of more than 200 metres of cabling for illegal connections.
MORE than 200 metres of cable illegally connected to street light poles has been removed from the Malacca Road Informal Settlment (top half) since the beginning of the week. On Monday this week, the municipality’s electricity department, flanked by security personnel, removed a number of illegal connections.
However, later that night residents had again illegally connected street light cables to the settlement. This resulted in the municipal dump on the road being affected. Several workers reportedly said they were shocked when they approached the taps at the dump and there was no power.
Ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, alongside Robin Candy, chairman of the Greenwood Park Community Policing Forum, went back the same night and removed almost 150 metres of cabling, which was then handed over to the Greenwood Park SAPS.
Candy said this was a common occurrence at the settlement.
“I’ve warned residents in Redhill and surrounding areas about cable theft because I’m certain there will be more following the disconnection. We have also warned the residents about the dangers of the illegal connections,” he said.
