The Democratic Alliance (DA) applauded the disconnection of 800 illegally wired residents of a Gauteng informal settlement.
The City of Tshwane Municipality removed electrical infrastructure worth an estimated R400 000 on Tuesday, July 19 from the Brazzaville informal settlement.
This occurred as the City and the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) were conducting an operation to disconnect the electricity.
According to the DA in Gauteng:
“The DA Utility Caucus welcomes the disconnection of 800 illegal electricity connections at the Brazzaville informal settlement on Tuesday, 19 July 2022.
“Illegal connections cannot be tolerated as it does harm to local businesses in the area having a negative impact on the economy. It is also not fair towards paying residents and business owners to have to be suffering due to an unstable network as a result of illegal connections.”
Electricity connections done without Eskom or the municipality’s consent to a mini-substation or overhead pole are considered illegal connections, according to the City.
The DA went on to say that “We further welcome the confiscation of electrical material to the value of R400 000. Theft of power and electrical material increase the trips and damage to appliances after loadshedding.
“In terms of taking on the ‘whole of society’ approach we urge residents to be alert and report suspicious illegal connections immediately to the City. Together we can fight the crime of illegal connections and theft of infrastructure to ensure a more stable network that creates opportunity for businesses to flourish”.
This is how you can report an illegal connection since it puts the system at risk and poses serious risks:
Call City of Tshwane at 012 358 7096, Eskom at 08600 37566, or SMS Crime Line at 32211 to report illegal connections.