A Tshwane metro team on an oversight visit in Soshanguve has caught a person red-handed tampering with essential city electricity infrastructure.
The culprit was trying to connect electricity illegally from the city’s power grid in Tswaing Block F.
MMC for utility services Themba Fosi said while he and city personnel were inspecting critical infrastructure in Soshanguve, chanced upon an incident of illegal electricity connection in Tswaing Block F.
“The community member was connecting to our electrical grid without authorisation,” Fosi said.
“The individual had purchased a transformer from our contractor and was in the process of tapping into our infrastructure when city personnel intervened.
“In adherence to the commitment to law and order, we promptly contacted the Rietgat police who subsequently arrested the suspect,” he said.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder that illegal electricity connections continue to undermine the city’s ability to provide safe and reliable electricity to all residents.”
He said the illegal connections also have financial implications as they cost the city millions annually in damaged infrastructure and lost revenue.
Fosi said these funds could have been used to improve service delivery.
“We remain committed to working together with communities and law enforcement to identify and prosecute those involved in illegal electricity connections.
“The city extends its appreciation to SAPS for their swift response and cooperation in this matter.
“Together, we will ensure that our electricity infrastructure remains secure and serves all residents, legally and safely,” Fosi said.
He said technicians were on the ground in Soshanguve attending to outages and making repairs so that the power supply could be restored quickly.
Fosi urged residents to report any individual seen tampering with essential infrastructure to police or metro police.
WATCH:
STATEMENT: Illegal electricity connections affecting power supply in Soshanguve. @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/5ofAx2Ph2M
— Mayor Cilliers Brink (@tshwane_mayor) September 27, 2023
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