| City illegal connections operation success in Mfuleni | City illegal connections operation success in Mfuleni | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Electricity%20Metre%20Reading%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>The City’s ongoing efforts to remove illegal electricity connections across the metro are paying off. In one of the hotspot areas, Mfuleni, there have been no major power interruptions in the area due to the overload from illegal connections. In addition, compared to a few months ago, with the start of the dedicated illegal connection removal operations, illegal connections have reduced markedly: For instance from four bakkie loads of cable removed since the start of the operations to two bakkie loads in the most recent operation.<br></p> | <span><p>The City recently set up an Energy Law Enforcement and Technical Unit (ELETU), a specialised team to help protect electrical infrastructure from tampering, vandalism, theft and illegal connections. Repairs and disconnections of the same vandalised infrastructure are a challenge and often not feasible or safe and places pressure on City resources and negatively impacts our residents by leaving neighbourhoods without power.</p><p> <br></p><p>'We are pleased to see our operations to combat the scourge of electricity vandalism paying off. We are intensifying our efforts by carrying out regular illegal connection disconnection operations in the metro's hotspots. We are aware of and are monitoring all areas impacted by illegal connection and infrastructure vandalism and are happy to see this having a positive impact in our communities. <br></p>
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<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/5b86525a-f54e-499d-af18-9843dd9b2602.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:2532px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>'The City is serious about protecting its critical infrastructure and the residents who are legally supplied with electricity. We will not tolerate vandalism which impacts on this supply to our residents. Illegal connections leave whole communities in darkness due to overloaded connections and exposed live wires.</p><p> </p><p>'Mfuleni is one of the areas which had been especially hard hit and this often caused prolonged electricity outages. We thank all teams, Law Enforcement and the South African Police Service (SAPS) for assisting with our regular operations. Residents are encouraged to report illegal connections and vandalism to the City and SAPS. Our message is clear: Let's ACT together. Protect your power. Stand up against illegal connections and vandalism,' said Councillor Van Reenen. <br></p>
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<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/b84dbd42-fe92-4c93-b8ae-69f89ab24bd2.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:1762px;" /> </figure></span><span><p>In City supplied areas and on City-owned land, where it is possible to do so, almost 100% of older informal settlements in the metro are connected to electricity supply.</p><p> </p><p><strong>R5 000 reward</strong></p><p><strong>Help the City bring an end to infrastructure vandalism and illegal connections: </strong>The City is offering a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction, confiscation of stolen or illegal goods or the handing in of illegal or stolen goods. This reward is also applicable to information leading to the arrest and conviction of people vandalising, damaging or stealing electricity infrastructure or installing illegal connections. SAPS is the lead authority in crime prevention. <br></p>
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<img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/f8dfaaee-59ab-4acd-be25-bd0f8cb881f1.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:1425px;" /> </figure></span><p><strong>Report damage to municipal electrical infrastructure:</strong></p><p><strong>SMS:</strong> 31220</p><p><strong>Email:</strong> <a href="mailto:power@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">power@capetown.gov.za</a> </p><p><strong>Anonymous tip offs are welcome: </strong>Residents can report crime and by-law offences anonymously, 24-hours a day, on 0800 1100 77.</p><p> <br></p><p><strong>End</strong></p><p><br></p> | 2023-12-04T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#b195be29-9300-4dc7-ac99-92629ce847ac;L0|#0b195be29-9300-4dc7-ac99-92629ce847ac|electricity;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#46cd6f1c-873b-40f4-9f8a-883fa56784e5;L0|#046cd6f1c-873b-40f4-9f8a-883fa56784e5|infrastructural upgrades;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GPP|#fa689e9d-c6a8-4381-8a1c-f55592d5d2a4;GP0|#633591e2-ed41-4816-9750-3d5f5090deda;L0|#0633591e2-ed41-4816-9750-3d5f5090deda|illegal activity;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
