Refrain from buying stolen electricity meters – City Power
JOBURG – Residents whose smart meters have been obtained illegally would face criminal prosecution.
City Power had been plagued by rampant theft of electricity meters, and many of these units have found their way into resident’s homes through the black market.
City Power spokesperson Hloni Motloung warned that the utility would be conducting random audits of meters across Johannesburg.
“Households whose meters are found to have been procured illegally would face criminal prosecution,” emphasised Motloung.
Motloung added that, when residents buy electricity meters from unauthorised resellers, they are supporting the illegal trade of stolen meters and sustaining the illicit and ill-gotten equipment on the black market.
City Power is appealing to residents to refrain from buying stolen equipment and warned the public of criminal complicity.
Consumers who suspect that their meters are faulty should report the problem to City Power or City of Johannesburg call centre and customer centres.
Managing director of City Power Sicelo Xulu explained that buying meters from unauthorised dealers renders the residents complicit in the crime of theft.
“The procurement of stolen infrastructure is not a victim-less crime as it creates a ready market for stolen property and fuels a black market in stolen electricity meters.
The law explicitly states that anyone found in possession of equipment and goods that were procured illegally, is in possession of stolen property and therefore, liable for criminal prosecution,” Xulu warned.
According to him, the theft of meters and other forms of infrastructure hampered the utility’s ability to provide accurate billing, quality services to the residents and contributes to increased tariffs and prices for ordinary South Africans.
“Besides the cost of replacing the infrastructure and damaged equipment, it interferes with the delivery of other essential services. Cable theft is conservatively estimated to cost the South African economy about R5 billion a year directly and indirectly,” Xulu stated.
He concluded that the utility welcomed the proposed changes to the Criminal Matters Amendment Bill 2015, which seeks to impose more stringent sentences to suspects convicted of cable theft.
Details: City Power 011 490 7607.
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