City acts on electricity tampering, illegal connections in metro

28 September 2023

The City is keeping a close eye on illegal electricity meter tampering and illegal connections

The City is keeping a close eye on illegal electricity meter tampering and illegal connections, and is visiting areas in the city where the suspected illegal activity is taking place.

‘Meter tampering occurs when a person interferes with the City’s electricity meter equipment in order to pay less or not pay for electricity at all. While some may think that they are getting away with it, City officials are quickly able to determine if tampering is taking place on the property.

‘Tampering investigations take place on an ongoing basis. When evidence of tampering is found, the City conducts a full investigation, which includes examining the resident’s electricity usage and purchase history, in detail, over a number of years.

‘We ask residents to assist us by spreading the message that electricity meter tampering is illegal and to report it to us so that we stop this scourge. Meter tampering and illegal connections are big risks for electrical infrastructure and the electrical grid and hold health and safety risks for residents,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen.

The City’s Electricity By-law (Section 26 – Tampering with service connection or supply mains) states that no person may in any manner or for any reason whatsoever tamper with, interfere with, vandalise or deface any meter or metering equipment or service connection, or protective device or supply mains or any other equipment of the service provider.

Illegal connections in communities – zero tolerance

Operations are being carried out in all areas to protect the lives of residents and children as well as the electricity supply and infrastructure by removing illegal connections.

Illegal connections severely overload the energy grid, which often leads to outages affecting hundreds of residents and damaged infrastructure, leaving the area and surrounds without supply for extended periods. The City is monitoring all hotspots and will continue to remove illegal connections.

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.

Anonymous tip-offs welcomed

Reward of R5 000 if tip-offs lead to arrests.

Call: 0800 1100 77

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office

illegal activity illegal electricity connection