The heat is on for Centurion- based shopping complex for illegal power connection.
The City of Tshwane said in a statement that the complex illegally connected electricity.
The City says the complex owes R3 million for services, including electricity.
Now the City says its campaign “#tshwaneyatima” directly translated as the City of Tshwane switches off electricity, helps it to identify non-paying customers.
“Today’s disconnection action should serve as a notice to those who continue to tamper with the City’s infrastructure…. A precedent was set in a case where a businessman based in Mount Frere, was sentenced to 12 years direct imprisonment for illegal connection and tampering with Eskom infrastructure” said Lindela Mashigo, Acting Head of Communication.
He said the Municipality issued 100 job cards, for business and residential areas, worth more than R190 million.
He said Government has a Programme called “Poorest of the Poor” for vulnerable people such as the elderly, the unemployed, child – headed homes and others.
“Illegal connections are tantamount to stealing.”
He said the City of Tshwane is owed R23 billion for electricity by Government, Embassies, business and residential areas.
Residents of Soshanguve had an opportunity to check their bills during a recent mobile campaign and were encouraged to at least make arrangements, if they can’t pay.
Organizations whose electricity was disconnected in previous rounds of the campaign, include Unisa, who settled R20 million immediately thereafter to reconnect.
PRASA, who paid R6million on the same day to have services reconnected.
“The City is going through challenges, this is the image of the capital city.”
Places disconnected in this round of the campaign, include student residences in Arcadia.
Picture: Steam