Joburg vows to continue disconnection campaign
The City of Johannesburg says it will continue with its revenue collection drive by disconnecting illegal electricity connections.
On Tuesday, City Power went on a disconnection drive in Naturena, in the south of Johannesburg, during which it targeted defaulting businesses and residents.
They were met with resistance from some members of the community, with one resident, Bafana Ramoneng, saying City Power had failed to address their concerns about the metering system.
“They were still supposed to come back to us and do demonstrations of this gadget. We said to them that [the meter] is running abnormally,” he said.
“There are a few houses that have had it installed, and the people there are complaining because these things run even when you’re not plugged in.”
The city’s Kgamanyane Maphologela says they will continue to target suburbs and businesses where illegal connections are rampant.
"The city will not hesitate to lay criminal charges or effect arrests, impose hefty fines, and immediately disconnect electricity and water supply to those who illegally connect themselves to the services.
“The city is losing a substantial amount of revenue due to illegal connections of services. In the coming days and weeks, the city will intensify its credit control blitz against illegal connections of electricity and water services citywide."
Maphologela warned the city is beefing up its campaign to tackle electricity and water theft.
"The city has in the past months effected level 3 disconnection of water and electricity supply to businesses which had illegally reconnected themselves to services. The level 3 disconnection means the city removes its infrastructure, which includes the meter from the premises," he added.
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