Energy22.01.2025

Joburg illegal power crackdown

Johannesburg power utility City Power has been conducting a cut-off operation to clamp down on illegal connections in the city, disconnecting at least 122 prepaid meters and removing 150kg of aluminium wire worth roughly R500,000.

The power utility published statements on Monday, 20 January, and Tuesday, 21 January 2025, detailing the progress of its cut-off operations.

The first focussed on illegal connections in the City Deep area. City Power says the operation was a direct response to consistent reports of meter tampering and illegal electricity use in the area.

This poses significant safety risks for the community and results in financial losses for the City of Johannesburg.

“Acting on a tip-off from Joshco management, the City Power Revenue Protection unit conducted a meticulous intervention, resulting in the disconnection of 122 prepaid meters and the removal of 114 circuit breakers to prevent illegal reconnections,” it said.

City Power added that it fined residents who tampered with their meters more than R14,000 for single-phase connections.

Inner City Customer Services Manager Maphuti Makgabo said the municipal power utility is committed to enhancing the security and integrity of its electricity infrastructure.

“We will continue collaborating with law enforcement agencies to combat criminal activities like illegal connections, which not only endanger lives but also compromise the availability of reliable electricity services,” said Makgabo.

It noted that the Deep City operation followed a similar initiative that took place in Region G on 15 January, particularly at the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) flats in Kliptown Square.

The power utility had received a tip-off from residents about meter tampering during the prepaid meter rollover process. Together with law enforcement, it disconnected the power supply to over 120 units.

“We are also investigating leads provided by some of the customers we’ve disconnected, who allege that our contractors and staff members are involved in illegal reconnections,” added City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.

“We’ll be making arrests very soon.”

A separate cut-off operation occurred in the Princess Informal Settlement in Roodepoort on Tuesday, 21 January 2025.

Targeting illegal connections within the informal settlement, the municipal power utility disconnected and confiscated more than 150kg of aluminium wires worth roughly R500,000.

The operation also targeted specific properties on Albertina Sisulu Road, including a panel beater, bakery, and crèche.

“A network of aluminium wires was found connected to streetlights, running through fences, and providing unauthorised power supply,” City Power said in a statement.

However, it noted that the Princess Informal Settlement is still divided into two sections: one electrified through the approval of the Department of Human Settlements and the other rife with illegal connections.

City Power has already completed two phases of the electrification project within the informal settlement. It is awaiting approval from the Department of Human Settlements to formalise connections in areas without electricity.

“Parallel to this, City Power is implementing microgrid solutions across the City of Johannesburg to provide clean, reliable energy to communities and enhance energy resilience,” it said.

It added that it has earmarked 14 informal settlements in the city that will benefit from microgrid solutions in 2025.

City Power warned that illegal connections result in substantial financial losses for the utility and severely damage infrastructure, resulting in frequent outages and interruptions for paying customers.

“City Power is actively working with law enforcement agencies to address the growing issue of electricity theft,” it said.

It also necessitates demand reduction mechanisms like load reduction to curb excessive consumption in high-density areas.

Load reduction is usually implemented in the morning and evening and can leave large areas without power for up to five hours.

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