Two men have been arrested north of Pretoria for reconnecting electricity without a job card on Tuesday.
Tshwane metro police (TMPD) spokesperson Nonhlanhla Tapala said a complaint that the perpetrators were allegedly illegally connecting electricity in Theresa Park, north of Pretoria, was registered on August 22.
Tapala said later when TMPD officers arrived on the scene, they “found two men aged between 25 and 35, busy tampering with an electrical box”.
She said investigations revealed that the suspects had impersonated Tshwane contractors but had been unable to provide proof.
“It was also discovered that there was no job card issued for the reconnection.”
Tapala said because the two failed to prove their credentials, they were arrested on suspicion of tampering with essential infrastructure.
In another incident, TMPD officers arrested one person in Waltloo for possession of suspected stolen property.
Tapala said the suspect was at the Waltloo electricity depot, east of Pretoria and in possession of suspected stolen electricity cables and other pieces of equipment.
Both suspects are due in court soon.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report cable theft on 012 358 1550 or go to the client service centre in Gezina at the SANAB Building.”
The arrests come as businesses in Tshwane face fines as high as R10-million for illegal connections and electricity theft, while households can expect to cough up R200 000 for the crime.
Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink earlier in the year urged the community to report illegal connections.
“We need communities to assist us by reporting illegal connections because this is within the knowledge of the local people.
“The metro will be vigilant to such incidents and we will act decisively.
“Electricity theft and vandalism of infrastructure do great damage to the city’s essential property,” he said.
Tshwane finance MMC Peter Sutton at the time also warned that anyone proved to have connected electricity illegally or tampered with infrastructure, would be fined.
He said electricity theft costs the metro an estimated R470-million a year.
“This is money taken away from service delivery by individuals and business owners through pure arrogance and entitlement,” said Sutton.
He suggested the metro lays criminal charges against perpetrators and pursues the recovery of lost revenue.
“If you are an individual and/or business owner involved in electricity theft and tampering with prepaid meters, you should be very concerned.”
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