DEAR Editor,-
Six months ago, Max Mbili, municipal manager of the Hibiscus Coast, said in an interview that the municipality will have zero tolerance with illegal electricity connections. He promised that, together with Eskom, the municipality will form a partnership to teach residents of Masinenge Township more about electricity theft and also put pressure on the SAPS to arrest electricity thieves. However, it is unfortunate that the illegal electricity connection problem has worsened since February.
The illegal electricity connections are getting so bad, the Masinenge community is tapping electricity from Eskom power boxes, transformers and even from the MTN cellphone tower located behind the SPCA in Margate. The latest method used by electricity thieves is cutting down Eskom poles to access the overhead electricity cables.
This is totally unacceptable; the Hibiscus Coast Municipality is all talk and no action. It is time that Max Mbile puts his money where his mouth is and take immediate action to resolve the illegal electricity connections in Masinenge.
Electricity theft is a problem for most power utilities worldwide and Eskom/Hibiscus Coast Municipality is no exception. Electricity theft, in the form of illegal connections, meter tampering, bypassing and stolen prepaid electricity credit dispensing units (also known as ghost CDUs), cost Eskom and the Hibiscus Coast Municipality billions of rand in lost revenue each year.
Electricity theft, however, means more than just lost revenue for the municipality. It affects everyone living along the Hibiscus Coast, whether they realise it or not. The revenue lost must be made up somewhere and electricity theft can therefore contribute to increased tariffs and price increases in general. Electricity theft also affects the stability of the power supply and can lead to power outages. Power outages not only inconvenience consumers, but can also affect the viability of business, in some instances leading to job losses and businesses closing down.
Electricity theft is also responsible for many deaths and injuries caused by electrocution. Wiring used in illegal connections is usually not insulated and is often thrown across tables, floors, fences and even roads and in the veld. This is extremely dangerous as even small levels of current can kill people. Most of the victims of electrocutions resulting from illegal connections are young children and toddlers.
AfriForum has placed the Hibiscus Coast Municipality on terms and demanded they submit a written plan of action to AfriForum by August 10 in order to combat these illegal electricity connections in the Masinenge Township. If the municipality fails to adhere to AfriForum’s request, the civil rights watchdog will approach the high court for an interdict to remove these illegal connections.
AfriForum urges the community of Margate to show its support for the project by sending an sms with the word ‘Electricity’ to 45267. (Smses cost R1)
WESSEL PRETORIUS
Chairperson, AfriForum Margate Branch
Editor’s note: At the time of going to press, no further correspondence had been received.
To receive news links via BBM, add us using the pin 2BABF7D1.
The South Coast Herald is also on Facebook and Twitter – why not join us there?
