City Power responds to rise in illegal connections
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena stated that, in response to the ongoing issue, City Power's revenue department receives daily reports and tip-offs regarding illegal connections from residents, service delivery centres, and the city's Citizen Relationship and Urban Management Department. 'Properties reported for illegal connections are scheduled for inspection, with the latest inspections set for July 3 in Newlands. Customers found using electricity illegally will face disconnection and fines, starting at R14 000 for single-phase connections, with penalties for three-phase connections exceeding R30 000.'
Read more: City Power warns of impersonation scams
Mangena said that hijacked buildings also present another challenge, as these structures are often illegally connected to the grid without proper internal reticulation systems. 'These conditions not only complicate enforcement; they also create dangerous living environments for residents.'
He said that, at informal settlements, the majority of residents are illegally connected to the grid, worsening the problem. With criminal groups frequently charging residents a monthly fee for access to stolen electricity, undermining City Power's authority and putting communities at risk. 'While we recognise the need for electricity in these areas, not all locations are suitable for electrification due to safety concerns.'
High-risk areas, such as London Road in Alexandra, pose significant dangers, with shacks built beneath 88kV transmission lines on unstable dolomitic soil, creating electrocution and sinkhole risks. Similarly, the Amarasta informal settlement, partially located in a floodplain, has only 500 out of 5 000 units that could be safely electrified through a solar microgrid, said Mangena.
City Power has established an anonymous tip-off line for residents to report suspected illegal connections, theft, and vandalism. 'We encourage all residents to be vigilant and share any valuable information,' Mangena urged. The utility investigates every tip-off, dispatching teams to disconnect unauthorised connections and monitor areas to prevent reconnections.
In addition to these measures, he said they conduct regular operations to remove illegal connections, often uncovered through meter auditing programmes. 'The Security and Risk Management Department also deploys personnel to patrol high-risk zones, protecting infrastructure and preventing theft and vandalism.'
Illegal electricity connections pose severe risks, including electrocution and hazardous living conditions. 'For the broader community, these connections overload the electricity network, increasing the risk of fires and property damage.'
Mangena stated that tampering with electrical infrastructure is a criminal offense, and offenders may face harsh penalties, including fines and reconnection fees.
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