Lenasia, South Africa– City Power is ramping up its initiatives to tackle illegal power connections in Lenasia, Nancefield, and Eldorado Park, all part of Lenasia SDC, due to critical incidents that underscore the risks to public safety and the reliability of the electrical infrastructure.
The first case involved an illegal power link between an informal settlement and a nearby local business in Lenasia. The cables, which were removed at a cost of nearly R600,000, had overloaded the local grid, endangering nearby substations and increasing the risk of system failures. City Power has pledged to continue its efforts to disconnect non-compliant users, ensuring the stability and reliability of the electricity supply for all customers.
In a separate incident, a scrapyard in Nancefield that had been previously disconnected on September 18, 2024, was found to have illegally reconnected to the grid. City Power’s team discovered "T-joints" connected to heavy machinery at the site, indicating unauthorized power usage. There are also concerns that the scrapyard may be unlawfully supplying electricity to nearby properties. Further investigation revealed multiple cables extending from the site to neighboring locations, raising serious safety and infrastructure concerns.
Isaac Mangena, spokesperson for City Power, warned of the significant risks posed by such illegal activities. "These actions are not only dangerous but also jeopardize the integrity of our electrical infrastructure," Mangena said. "We are committed to taking swift and decisive action to protect the grid and ensure a reliable electricity supply for our community."
City Power’s continued crackdown on illegal connections is part of its broader commitment to maintaining a secure, efficient, and sustainable electricity service, particularly in areas where such activities are prevalent.
In a third incident, six citizens from Mozambique were apprehended for theft at the Old Eldorado Park Substation in Eldorado Park on December 2, 2024. The individuals were discovered with stolen items, which included 15-meter single-core copper jumper cables, 2 liters of oil extracted from the transformer, along with cable-cutting tools, pliers, and mechanical wrenches.
“A Toyota Corolla was seen close to the substation, and authorities found the stolen goods inside the car.” The arrests follow closely after two men, aged 43 and 38, were badly hurt while trying to steal cables from that same location," explained Magena.
He additionally mentioned that City Power has filed a case for tampering with critical infrastructure at Eldorado SAPS, and the confiscated tools have been logged as evidence under case number 13/2053/11/2024.
Mangena finished by stating that this event underscores the serious dangers of cable theft, which interrupts vital services and puts lives at risk.
City Power encourages the community to notify them of any unusual behavior near power facilities to assist in preventing illegal tampering and vandalism.
Photo: supplied
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