Thirteen illegally connected transformers and more than 15 000 kilograms worth of cables were discovered and confiscated from Msawawa informal settlement in Kya Sands, during a City Power led operation.
Isaac Mangena, Spokesperson of City Power, said the operation, was part of the entity’s comprehensive load reduction strategy, and was done in partnership with law enforcement agencies.
“During the process of cutting and removing cables that were connected to our network, we discovered several transformers discreetly concealed behind brick-walled structures.
Some of those transformers are suspected to have been stolen. The Security Risk
management team is still working on tracking whether they were stolen from City Power or from other municipalities” said Mangena.
Nine of those transformers were immediately removed and transported to City Power’s head office.
He said each transformer costs an estimated R450 000.
Tshifularo Mashava, City Power CEO, said “when we introduced load reduction two months ago, we made a commitment to aggressively deal with the main contributors of excessive electricity consumption, with illegal connections being one of those. To date, we have carried out more than 50 disconnection
operations, around informal settlements in the city.”
She also said, on Tuesday this week, City Power confiscated more than 15,000 kilograms of Aerial Bundle Cables (ABC), copper, aluminium, and bare wires valued at an estimated R800,000 from the Leratong Village informal settlement.
Picture: Supplied