Tshwane battles illegal power connections
"Electricity theft means some people are getting electricity for free while others have to pay extra," says energy expert Chris Yelland.
The Tshwane metro is grappling with a problem of electricity theft that threatens public safety and the electrical infrastructure.
In June, Tshwane had to visit several areas to quell electricity theft.
Some of the places visited by Tshwane as part of its Ya Tima initiative to tackle electricity theft are as follows:
– Akasia on June 30
– Hatfield on March 12
– Silverton on May 6
– Sunnyside Pretoria CBD on March 14
– Garsfontein in Pretoria east on March 12
– Danville, Pretoria West on June 06
– Silver Lakes and Laudium
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the municipality has since implemented a programme of removing illegal connections across Tshwane.
He said this is the only measure Tshwane can implement until informal settlements are formalised or relocated by human settlements.
“The metro does not have accurate stats as some of these electricity theft incidents are not reported to us or police,” said Mashigo.
According to Mashigo, the impact of this illegality is felt when there are kids who get injured and get reported to law enforcement authorities.
Through the Tshwane Ya Tima disconnection campaign, the metro has visited several areas across Tshwane to curb electricity theft.
Energy expert Chris Yelland warned that electricity theft and illegal connections are dangerous.
Yelland recounted a tragic incident in Johannesburg where a young girl was killed as a result of an illegal connection.
“The girl was walking barefoot when she was electrified by exposed electricity wires in a field,” he said.
He said illegal connectors left live wires exposed posing a significant risk to people.
Yelland added that the illegal connections consecutions include overloading of the distribution infrastructure, leading to cable, transformer, and switchgear failures.
He said this results in power outages that last an extended period and equipment damage.
Yelland further said, that illegal connections encourage wasteful electricity use, as those who don’t pay for electricity have no incentive to use it efficiently.
“It means some people are getting electricity for free while others have to pay an extra price,” he said.
“Stealing electricity affects everyone paying for electricity and it’s pushing up the electricity cost.”
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