Thanks to vigilant residents, a large network of illegal electricity connections was uncovered this morning on Picketberg Street in Lenasia South, Extension 4. Ward Committee members for Infrastructure and Safety, Joy Govender and Ridwaan Minty, were on the scene to investigate.
Govender attributed the ongoing power interruptions to these illegal connections and confirmed that City Power is en route to fully investigate and address those responsible.
Upon arriving at the site, the ward committee members discovered an electrician attempting to connect additional cables to a street power box, claiming he had permission from City Power. They immediately halted the work and removed the illegal wiring from both the pavement and nearby properties.
“These power boxes are meant to supply a limited number of households,” Govender explained. “Overloading them has caused outages and even explosions,” she added.
This discovery follows another major illegal connection found on Saturday night near the railway tracks in Extension 2, which was supplying power to parts of Lakeside. Govender suspects the illegal connections on Picketberg Street may have been in place for some time.
City Power loses more than R2 billion each year in ‘non-technical loses’ which include illegal connection in suburbs and informal settlements.
To report all illegal connections, please call 0800002587.
