24 arrested in City crackdown on illegal connections
Today, joined by the Member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Finance, Dr Rabelani Dagada, the City Manager, Dr Ndivhoniswani Lukhwareni, Johannesburg Metro Police’s Department’s newly appointed Police Chief, Mr. David Tembe, the Head of the City’s Group Forensics Investigative Department, General Shadrack Sibiya, the City’s Head of Legal Services, Isaac Mogashoa, senior officials from the city and entities, officials from the Department of Home Affairs and members of the South African Police Services (SAPS), I took part in an operation to apprehend persons who illegally connected to City services and failed to follow our by-laws.
The Auditor General has reported that for the 2016-17 financial year non- technical electricity losses amounted to R1 092 712 000 (2015-16: R1 353 834 000) and were due to theft, bypass of meters, illegal de-calibration of meters and damaged meters.
Citywide, over 2000 businesses fail pay for electricity, amounting to just under R1 billion. Some of these account holders also illegally connect to our services. This is not something we can allow.
During today’s operation, 06 suspects were arrested in total for illegally reconnecting to City services, following their disconnection by the City, and failing to pay their owing municipal accounts. These persons are said to owe the City R3 332 361.34. All the suspects had illegally connected to our electricity supply.
During the operation, another 18 persons were determined to be undocumented persons. These persons were detained and will be processed by the Department of Home Affairs. Ensuring that city services are paid for is integral in capacitating the City to deliver quality and consistent services, especially to the poorest and most vulnerable of our residents. Those who connect to services illegally not only rob the City, but also place extreme pressure on those residents who do pay for their municipal services.
We remain unwavering in our commitment to bringing the rule of law back into the City. As a City, we will continue to run these operations so as to ensure offenders face the full might of the law.
For further information contact:
Luyanda Mfeka
Director of Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
Cell: 076 171 5978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za
