Durban Municipality has revealed that it loses an estimated R1.7 billion a year due to illegally connected electricity.
This came after the police and other government agencies raided the occupied building on Lancers street in the city center where illegal electricity connections were found.
The law enforcement agencies were shocked and rushed to the place early on Monday morning, arriving to investigate the party that was said to have started on Sunday night. The police were shocked because they said they were going to stop them – they would find people “dragging their skins”. It is said that in this place body, drugs, alcohol, different meat including head and other different things are sold.
The building at number 44 on this road is seen to be neglected due to the smell and smell that meets you from a distance and on the other hand it is seen that some people just look at the wall when they are shopping.
The Thekwini Municipality said the theft of electricity is a serious crime.
“Electricity theft is a serious crime because it puts people’s lives at risk, makes the public unsafe and damages the important infrastructure of the municipality. It also puts a huge financial burden on the shoulders of the municipality, which loses approximately R1.7 billion a year due to these illegal activities.”
“This loss deprives the municipality of the necessary funds to maintain and expand important electrical infrastructure and provide reliable services to residents. Illegal connections create a greater risk of fire outbreaks and disrupt the supply of paying customers.”
The municipality said it is on a mission to cut off all illegal electricity connections.
“The disconnection of illegally connected electricity is ongoing as part of efforts to protect our infrastructure, ensure public safety, and prevent other crimes. The public is urged to report illegal electricity connections or suspected electricity theft by contacting us on 0803 111 111.”
Eskom is crying about this, the situation at Lion Park, Mkhambathini, was tense last week when Eskom removed the electricity that was illegally connected to its poles. About 1,400 households were illegally connected to electricity, which caused Eskom to lose R12 million a year.
Eskom has also said that it is in a national campaign to remove all electricity from snakes.