City Power removes illegal connections at Princess
Mangena confirmed that the recent outage was due to the mini-substation in the area having been vandalised by those making illegal connections, and cable theft.
On Wednesday, June 8 City Power removed illegal connections at Princess informal settlement, which have been the primary source of supply challenges in the area.
According to the power utility, the illegal connections ran right outside Greenshack residential complex, which was severely affected.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena told the Record that they have serious problems with criminality in the area, therefore they engaged law enforcement to assist as City Power’s primary responsibility is to provide electricity services to customers.
“Challenges we have in the area include illegal connections leading to overloading of the network, vandalism, people illegally operating our electricity network, cable theft, and electrocutions.
“All these affect power supply to residents of Lindhaven, Grobler Park, parts of Witpoortjie and Princess,” said Mangena.
He confirmed that the recent outage was due to the mini-substation in the area having been vandalised by those making illegal connections, and cable theft.
The City Power teams could not conduct repairs during the previous night due to safety concerns, and the team went back the following morning and restored power.
“Our concerns are that the community from the informal settlement are operating our electricity infrastructure illegally.
“This is not only illegal in terms of the law, but it poses extreme danger to the community and our technicians, and may cause injuries and even death.
“While plans are in motion for the next phase of the electrification of the informal settlement, we are aware of unscrupulous individuals who are currently selling or renting out the illegally connected electricity to the residents, and they are among those who are disrupting our plans to install electricity.
“We have notified the Hawks and the City’s forensic investigators to assist in bringing these culprits to book,” said Mangena.
City Power is appealing to the community to bear with them as they address these challenges, including the constant outages mostly caused by the problems highlighted above.
“We are working with, and receiving support from the ward councillor and regional director in ensuring we resolve the issues and reduce the outages in the area,” said Mangena.
Residents are encouraged to report any disruptions, vandalism and cable theft to the law-enforcement agencies, or WhatsApp City Power’s Risk Control on 083 579 4497.
WEB (RR)
On Wednesday, June 8 City Power removed illegal connections at Princess informal settlement, which have been the primary source of supply challenges in the area.
According to the power utility, the illegal connections ran right outside Greenshack residential complex, which was severely affected.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena told the Record that they have serious problems with criminality in the area, therefore they engaged law enforcement to assist as City Power’s primary responsibility is to provide electricity services to customers.
Also read: City Power pounces on illegal connections in informal settlement near Ruimsig
“Challenges we have in the area include illegal connections leading to overloading of the network, vandalism, people illegally operating our electricity network, cable theft, and electrocutions.
“All these affect power supply to residents of Lindhaven, Grobler Park, parts of Witpoortjie and Princess,” said Mangena.
He confirmed that the recent outage was due to the mini-substation in the area having been vandalised by those making illegal connections, and cable theft.
The City Power teams could not conduct repairs during the previous night due to safety concerns, and the team went back the following morning and restored power.
“Our concerns are that the community from the informal settlement are operating our electricity infrastructure illegally.
“This is not only illegal in terms of the law, but it poses extreme danger to the community and our technicians, and may cause injuries and even death.
“While plans are in motion for the next phase of the electrification of the informal settlement, we are aware of unscrupulous individuals who are currently selling or renting out the illegally connected electricity to the residents, and they are among those who are disrupting our plans to install electricity.
“We have notified the Hawks and the City’s forensic investigators to assist in bringing these culprits to book,” said Mangena.
City Power is appealing to the community to bear with them as they address these challenges, including the constant outages mostly caused by the problems highlighted above.
“We are working with, and receiving support from the ward councillor and regional director in ensuring we resolve the issues and reduce the outages in the area,” said Mangena.
Residents are encouraged to report any disruptions, vandalism and cable theft to the law-enforcement agencies, or WhatsApp City Power’s Risk Control on 083 579 4497.
