Alexandra Residents Clash with City Power Over Illegal Electricity Disconnections
Tensions escalated in Alexandra, Johannesburg, as City Power’s efforts to dismantle illegal electricity connections met with fierce resistance from local residents. The operation, aimed at curbing electricity theft and stabilizing the power grid, has sparked protests and highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by both the utility and the community.
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City Power’s Crackdown on Illegal Connections
City Power recently launched a large-scale operation in Alexandra. Their goal is to dismantle illegal electricity connections and reduce electricity theft. These connections are blamed for constant power outages and damage to infrastructure.
The utility has partnered with law enforcement during these operations. In areas like Riverpark and along London Road, illegal connections are widespread. According to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, the utility loses around R2 billion each year due to non-technical losses. These include theft and vandalism.
City Power removed nearly 10,000kg of illegal cables during the latest operation. The estimated value of the recovered material is about R500,000.
Community Resistance and Protests
The disconnection efforts have been met with strong opposition from residents, leading to protests characterized by burning tires, stone-throwing, and road blockades. In some instances, law enforcement responded with rubber bullets to disperse the crowds and protect City Power personnel.
Residents argue that the lack of affordable and accessible legal electricity options forces them to resort to illegal connections. Community member Phindi Mbedu expressed frustration, stating that many residents have paid for connections and feel neglected by the housing department, which has failed to provide proper housing and legal electricity access.
Impact on Infrastructure and Safety
Illegal electricity connections have severely strained Alexandra’s power infrastructure. City Power has reported frequent overloading of the network, leading to damaged transformers and mini-substations. In the past two months alone, five mini-substations, each costing around R700,000, have been replaced due to damage caused by unauthorized connections.
Beyond infrastructure damage, these illegal connections pose significant safety hazards. Residents are at risk of electrocution and electrical fires, especially in areas where shacks are built beneath high-voltage transmission lines. City Power has emphasized that these unauthorized setups endanger both the community and utility workers.
City Power’s Appeal and Future Plans
Tshifularo Mashava, the City Power CEO has urged residents to refrain from engaging in illegal electricity connections and to report any electricity-related crimes. The utility emphasizes that such practices hinder service delivery and infrastructure investment, affecting paying customers and the broader community.
The utility plans to continue its operations to remove illegal connections and reduce the strain on the power grid. However, City Power acknowledges that a coordinated approach involving community cooperation is essential to address the root causes of electricity theft and to ensure sustainable, safe, and reliable power for all residents.
The clashes in Alexandra underscore the complex interplay between infrastructure challenges, socioeconomic factors, and community needs. While City Power’s efforts aim to protect the integrity of the power grid and ensure safety, the protests highlight the residents’ desperation for basic services and the need for comprehensive solutions that address both technical and social dimensions of electricity access.
