City Power (CP) has launched a crackdown on illegal connections across Johannesburg, recovering over 15 000kg of stolen cables valued at an estimated R800 000 from the Leratong Village informal settlement.
On August 14, an operation led by CP’s Revenue Protection Team in partnership with law enforcement agencies, aimed to address network overload and prolonged outages caused by unlawful connections.
According to CP’s spokesperson Isaac Mangena, the confiscation of stolen cables, including aerial bundled cables (ABC), copper, aluminium and bare wires, shows how illegal connection syndicates operate in communities.
“Since the area’s electrical infrastructure was built to support a specific number of homes and businesses, the illegal connections raise load demand and overload our transformers and wires. Due to this unlawful behaviour, our infrastructure collapses under extreme pressure, resulting in prolonged outages.
“What we also find deeply concerning is that the bulk of the cables that were removed are stolen properties of CP. Some of the lights that have been vandalised and mowed down are the source of the majority of those cables.
“We are looking into how many cables end up in so many makeshift communities. The kingpins who oversee illicit connection syndicates are another group we are pursuing. Our wires are allegedly stolen by these organised crime groups, who then provide illegal electricity connections at a fee. At the end of each month, these criminals reportedly go and collect money from informal dwellers,” Mangena said.
CP’s efforts have received support from local councillors, with Ward 67 councillor David Modupi expressing gratitude for the operation.
“Residents often hold me accountable for power issues caused by illegal connections. This operation is crucial for addressing these complaints,” Modupi said.
The crackdown on illegal connections will continue, with daily operations aimed at cutting off unlawful connections and conducting routine checks to prevent reconnections.
