Latest news with #illegalconnections


News24
03-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
City of Joburg cracks down on hijacked buildings and illegal electricity connections
Tebogo Letsie Acting Johannesburg mayor Kenny Kunene led a major raid in Randburg, targeting illegal electricity connections, undocumented immigrants and hijacked buildings. During the raid, one building was confirmed as hijacked, while another property in Bordeaux was flagged for unpaid taxes, illegal utility connections and operating as a scrapyard. These actions are part of the city's broader plan to combat urban decay, reclaim hijacked properties, and restore municipal order and revenue. City of Johannesburg acting mayor Kenny Kunene led a high-profile raid in Randburg this week, cracking down on illegal electricity connections, undocumented immigrants and hijacked buildings. The operation that forms part of the city's broader law enforcement efforts saw Kunene joined by heavily armed private security, metro police, City Power technicians and city council members. During the Randburg raid, one building was officially confirmed as hijacked. 'Yes, the building is hijacked; EMS has completed a report on it,' said Kunene. The City of Johannesburg has made it clear that it plans to reclaim all hijacked properties and return them to the city's inventory, with the goal of eventually attracting private partners to invest in and redevelop these spaces. Tebogo Letsie Kunene also highlighted another problem property on Sixth Street in Bordeaux. We're dealing with a house that owes the city for rates, taxes, electricity and water. It's also illegally operating as a scrapyard. Neighbours are complaining about inflated electricity bills because of its illegal connections Kenny Kunene These efforts form part of the city's broader crackdown on urban decay and illegal utilities, aiming to restore order and boost municipal revenue. Show Comments ()

The Herald
30-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Residents in Alexandra stop City Power's disconnection teams
Angry residents of River Park, Alexandra, were quick to react and immediately stopped an operation by City Power to cut illegal electricity connections in the area on Thursday. Commotion erupted as the community came together and stopped the officials from disconnection, demanding they turn the electricity back on and leave. Dillo Moche, 49, is frustrated that City Power randomly cuts off power after having agreed on a date with the community. Moche wanted the operation to start elsewhere, where people steal and do not pay for electricity, including informal settlements which have developed around River Park. 'Out of this entire ward, they chose to cut off the power in River Park only. Alexandra doesn't pay for electricity and there are informal settlements which surround River Park that do not pay at all but rather steal electricity, using cables.' Moche said the community did not mind paying but the problem of disconnection continued. 'We are willing to pay but they will still disconnect the electricity. We had agreed that City Power will come on 9 June and check for those who have bridged electricity so that they can fix the problem and be able to pay the R500 rate, but here they are now to disconnect without notifying us.' Tlaleng Mmoa, 48, who has been living in River Park ever since it was established, admits that there are some illegal connections and that other houses have bypassed meters.


Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Crackdown on illegal power connections uncovers 3557 cases in Oman
MUSCAT: Nama Electricity Distribution Company (NEDC), the country's national distribution utility with coverage of all governorates with the exception of Dhofar, has announced that it has busted a total of 3,557 illegal electricity connections during 2024, helping contribute to the reduction of system losses. The crackdown encompassed, among other measures, the intensive inspection of connections and meters aimed at identifying and rectifying instances of tampering, unauthorized connections, and defective meters, the state-owned utility said. 'These efforts led to the detection of over 3557 cases of illegal connections and the recovery of more than 228 GWh and over RO 2 million of revenue,' the company stated in its newly published 2024 Annual Report. Additionally, meter reading operations were intensified during the year, according to NEDC. 'The company implemented enhanced oversight measures for manual meter reading, including the establishment of a dedicated validation team to verify reading and ensure data accuracy.' Furthermore, the transition to Automated Meter Reading (AMR) technology helped enhance the accuracy of meter readings and enable real-time monitoring of meter performance, thereby reducing errors and inefficiencies, it noted. 'These initiatives reflect the company's commitment to operational excellence, improved revenue assurance, and enhanced distribution efficiency. Moving forward, the company remains focused on further optimizing its loss-reduction strategies through continued technological advancements and process improvements.' As a result of these and other measures, system losses dipped 0.27 per cent to 7.95 per cent in 2024, down from 8.23 per cent a year earlier. 'This improvement is the result of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing distribution efficiency and minimizing losses,' the company added. NEDC, part of Nama Group, is licensed to carry out electricity distribution management and related activities across all governments excluding Dhofar, has a portfolio of 1.35 million customers. Overseeing Dhofar is Nama Dhofar Services, an integrated provider of electricity, water and wastewater services in the southern governorate of Oman. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (