City Power slams big businesses for leeching off grid
City Power has slammed big businesses in Johannesburg for bypassing electricity meters and illegally connecting to the grid.
At least 9 businesses in Mayfair and Crosby were found with illegal connections this week.
This includes local garages, butchers, restaurants and hardware stores.
City Power conducted an operation to cut off illegal connections and audit bypassed meters in Crosby and Mayfair on Thursday.
The poor utility’s spokesperson Isaac Mangena says residences are also guilty.
“Several houses, including those at Slovo informal settlement, were also cut off due to illegal connections.
“It is concerning that businesses, who make millions in revenue and can actually afford to pay for electricity, are the ones stealing from the City of Johannesburg.”
Mangena warns the power utility will intensify its raids.
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The crackdown on illegal connections comes after the electrocution of a newly-wed couple in Crosby.
Zaheer Sarang and Nabeelah Khan were found dead in the shower almost two weeks ago.
Investigations found an illegal connection had caused a power surge, killing the pair.
“Crosby and Mayfair area is known for its illegal connections by hijacked buildings and informal settlements, meter bypassing by formal houses and businesses, and vandalism of the infrastructure,” says Mangena.
“We urge residents to desist from tampering with electricity infrastructure, including bypassing our meters, vandalism or illegal connections which may lead to the circuit malfunctioning resulting in customers experiencing insurges, equipment shocking them, or lower than normal voltage.”
