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City Power cuts off electricity to 25 Alexandra businesses for non-payment & meter tampering

City Power cuts off electricity to 25 Alexandra businesses for non-payment & meter tampering! City Power in Johannesburg has taken decisive action against several businesses in the Alexandra area, disconnecting 25 establishments from the electricity grid. This move follows a string of allegations involving meter tampering and non-payment, which authorities claim led to a substantial loss in revenue and compromised the integrity of the area’s power infrastructure.

Recent Installation of Smart Meters

In an effort to curb widespread illegal connections, City Power introduced smart meters to 40 businesses across Alexandra in early October. These meters are designed to monitor electricity consumption accurately and prevent unauthorized usage.

The installation aimed to reduce illegal connections and ensure fair billing practices across the network. According to City Power, smart meters were a necessary upgrade to manage power usage effectively in a community where illegal connections have historically placed stress on the power grid, sometimes resulting in outages and frequent equipment damage.

Despite this effort, the utility company found that a significant number of these meters had been tampered with just weeks after installation. Of the 40 businesses that had received the new meters, 25 reportedly manipulated them to record lower electricity usage, allowing them to pay only a fraction of their actual consumption costs.

City Power cuts off electricity

Identifying Meter Tampering and Non-Payment

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena explained that utility officials began to notice discrepancies in electricity purchases among several businesses, leading to suspicions of tampering. In an on-site inspection, officials discovered that many meters had been illegally bypassed, allowing businesses to consume electricity without the system registering accurate usage or requiring payment.

“We realised that there are some meters that are no longer buying electricity,” Mangena said. “When we arrived here this morning, we realised they’ve bypassed themselves and they are using electricity without paying for it.”

The investigation revealed instances where businesses with substantial energy needs, such as large shops and operations, were only paying nominal amounts. Mangena highlighted one example where a business, despite having a significant operation, had manipulated its meter to reflect payments as low as R50 per month—an amount far below what would be expected for its size and energy demands.

Arrests and Legal Ramifications

In addition to disconnecting electricity services for these businesses, authorities also arrested one businessman accused of tampering with City Power’s infrastructure. Meter tampering is considered a serious offense under South African law, as it directly impacts the resources and finances needed to maintain and improve electricity infrastructure.

By manipulating the system, these businesses not only avoid their rightful payments but also contribute to the strain on Johannesburg’s already taxed electricity network, affecting surrounding communities and increasing maintenance costs.

City Power, with law enforcement’s help, has pledged to continue cracking down on such illegal activities, emphasizing the consequences for offenders. Mangena stated, “We want to send a strong message that tampering with our infrastructure will not be tolerated. It’s theft, and those responsible will face the full extent of the law.”

City Power cuts off electricity

Impact on the Alexandra Community

City Power’s findings underline the broader challenge faced by utility companies in South Africa, especially in high-density urban areas with limited resources and frequent issues with illegal power connections. The financial strain caused by unpaid bills and tampering forces City Power to allocate resources toward detecting and rectifying these issues rather than improving infrastructure and services.

The company’s recent crackdown has sent a strong message to other business owners in the area, particularly as the community struggles with periodic power outages and load shedding. Mangena emphasized that legal compliance by all electricity users is crucial to ensuring a stable and efficient power supply in Alexandra and other affected regions.

City Power’s Commitment to Future Prevention

Following this operation, City Power has affirmed its commitment to routine inspections and audits across Alexandra and other parts of Johannesburg where tampering has been suspected. The utility company has acknowledged that the problem extends beyond Alexandra and is taking steps to deploy further resources to other hotspot areas.

By enhancing meter monitoring systems and enforcing strict penalties, City Power aims to deter future incidents of illegal connections and meter tampering.

Moreover, the company has called on community members to report any suspicious activity around electricity infrastructure, appealing to residents and business owners alike to respect the law and contribute to the stability of Johannesburg’s power network.

Conclusion

City Power’s disconnection of electricity to 25 businesses in Alexandra serves as both a preventive measure and a warning to others who might attempt similar illegal practices. While the introduction of smart meters is a step toward improving monitoring and fairness in billing, the challenge remains for City Power to ensure compliance among all users.

With additional support from law enforcement and continued vigilance, City Power hopes to secure a more stable and equitable energy supply for the city’s businesses and residents alike.

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