Crackdown on Illegal Power: City Power Tackles Unlawful Connections in Kya Sands

In a decisive action against rampant electricity theft, City Power Johannesburg has dismantled a network of illegal connections in the Msawawa informal settlement within the precinct of Kya Sands. This crackdown took place on a Wednesday, where the utility's operation unearthed 13 illicitly installed transformers and a substantial haul of cables.

These discoveries were part of a broader initiative to enforce load reduction and combat excessive electricity consumption plaguing the metropolis. City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, highlighted that over the course of two months, the company embarked on more than 50 disconnection operations, primarily focusing on informal settlements notorious for such unlawful activities.

According to Mangena, suspicions have arisen that some of the retrieved transformers may be stolen property. Investigations are ongoing, with City Power's security risk management team working diligently to trace the origins of the transformers and ascertain whether they are indeed pilfered from City Power's inventory or other municipalities.

The operation's success is partly reflected in the segregation of the seized equipment, with nine transformers transported to City Power's headquarters, while the remaining items are securely held, pending further action. The economic impact of these illegal connections is not negligible, as each transformer carries a price tag of approximately R450,000.

City Power's CEO, Tshifularo Mashava, contextualized the severity of the issue, explaining how Kya Sands and surrounding locales suffer frequent blackouts because of this pervasive problem. Illegal connections not only instigate service disruptions but also pose serious risks of collapsing the entire power grid. These unauthorized electrical networks, she elaborated, are often part of criminal syndicates that orchestrate theft and vandalism to subsequently sell illegal connections to unsuspecting or desperate residents at rates between R200 and R1,000.

Mashava's statement also emphasizes the exemplary efforts of City Power's security personnel and police in confronting these challenges. She stressed the urgency in dismantling these dangerous syndicates and bringing the culprits to justice to ensure community safety.

City Power remains vigilant, issuing a stern warning to those maintaining and benefiting from these unauthorized networks. The utility's commitment to resolving electricity theft is unwavering, with its actions reflecting the broader goal to enforce legal energy distribution and promote responsible consumption patterns.