Update:
Following the City cutting off illegal electricity connections recently, the residents of Mfuleni, an informal settlement near Cape Town, have vowed to fight back against the operation.
It was reported by eNCA that the residents have said that they will reconnect their electricity cables, and beat anyone who tries to stop them from doing so.
Beverley van Reenan, mayoral committee member for energy, said that the City was increasing their efforts to protect critical electricity infrastructure, which involved removing illegal connections in various areas.
The residents promised to fight back at the City authorities, stating that the City doesn’t have sympathy towards children writing their final matric exams.
Van Reenan added that the City will not back down on this initiative as they are losing millions annually due to cable theft.
The City is unsure of the value of the cables retrieved in Mfuleni, but says that they filled three trucks.
The response from Mfuleni has been mixed, with some residents welcoming the operation and others fearing that it will result in further tension.
“These illegal connections are causing a lot of damage in our appliances because there are people who just move in our areas and create these connections. As a result when these City authorities leave there will be swearing towards us people who find relief by what the City is doing,” one resident said.
Van Reenen is pleading with residents to work together with the City to bring an end to infrastructure vandalism and illegal connections.
“The City is offering a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest, confiscation of stolen or illegal goods or the handing of illegal or stolen goods.”
“This reward is also applicable to information leading to the arrest of people vandalising, damaging or stealing electricity infrastructure or installing illegal connections,” she further explained.
The City’s Electricity Generation and Distribution Department performed another successful illegal connection removal in Mfuleni and the surrounding vicinity.
Also read: High fuel prices and unpaid bills add to woes for Eskom
The City has ramped up its efforts to protect the electricity infrastructure and remove illegal connections in various areas. Safety and security teams continue to help guard infrastructure, especially during the higher stages of loadshedding.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Beverley van Reenen said, “Illegal connections place tremendous strain on the electricity grid and result in severe damage to infrastructure in communities. In Mfuleni in particular, illegal connections often cause constant and prolonged electricity outages. Sadly, illegal connections are often reconnected as soon as our teams leave the area and often place the supply to residents at risk. During this successful operation, our teams confiscated a large amount of electrical cable used for illegal connections.”

“The City will not give up, our teams are on the ground and we will continue to disconnect illegal connections. We also call on residents to report vandalism and illegal connections to the City and South African Police Service. Together, we can end the scourge and we thank residents for their continuous support,” concluded van Reenen.
Eskom loses billions of rands due to illegal connections, which amount to approximately 13 500 megawatts out of a total generating capacity of approximately 45 000 megawatts. If Eskom could collect unpaid bills and cut illegal connections, power outages would be less severe.
Members of the public should report criminal activities such as illegal connections, theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure to the authorities or to the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 112 722.
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Picture: The City of Cape Town