Electricity theft has spiralled into a serious crisis in Newcastle, prompting the Newcastle Municipality to take decisive action by forming a dedicated task team to tackle this alarming crime.
The most recent victim of this surge in theft is Newcastle pensioner Ina Bosman, who found herself suddenly burdened with the cost of thousands of Rands worth of stolen electricity.
This unexpected financial strain has left the elderly resident facing the daunting challenge of footing the bill in the pursuit of justice.
Recounting her ordeal, Bosman shared that she had allowed an electrician she knew to store his equipment at her home in Arbor Park. “I have a prepaid metre and noticed that my electricity consumption was unusually high,” she explained. Concerned, the electrician offered to investigate and uncovered the shocking truth: her electricity was being stolen.
This revelation led Bosman to immediately contact her Ward Councillor for assistance. The councillor promptly responded, visiting her home to assess the situation before contacting the Newcastle Municipality for further action.
Following this, Bosman was called to a meeting at the Newcastle Municipality on Thursday, 8 August 2024. The Municipality wasted no time in sending out a team to inspect and address the problem. “It was discovered that a neighbour had tampered with my electricity supply and was siphoning off my electricity,” Bosman recounted with a mix of relief and frustration.
As a result, the Newcastle Municipality disconnected the illegal connection and secured the metre to prevent any future tampering. Unfortunately, by this time, Bosman had already been compelled to pay more than R2,000 for the stolen electricity within just a few days.
Currently, the Newcastle Municipality is conducting a detailed report into the incident to take further action. However, Newcastle Municipality’s Cllr Faizel Cassim sounded the alarm, revealing that electricity theft in Newcastle is far more widespread than most residents realise.
“It is extremely bad in Newcastle, and the Municipality is investigating numerous businesses for electricity theft and water diversion. This has resulted in the Newcastle Municipality being forced to cover costs exceeding R4 million,” Cassim disclosed.
In response to this escalating crisis, the Municipality has formed a specialised task team to investigate and apprehend those involved in electricity and water theft.
“Those found guilty will be charged, and we will take serious steps against them,” Cassim vowed. While the government entity is diligently investigating these illegal activities, Cllr Cassim urged residents to remain vigilant and take swift action if they suspect they are victims of illegal connections.
“If an illegal connection is discovered at a residence, the homeowner will be fined. It is crucial to report the matter to the police and the Newcastle Municipality so that the issue can be thoroughly investigated and resolved,” Cassim stressed.
As the Newcastle Municipality intensifies its crackdown on illegal connections, residents are now being strongly encouraged to ensure that no unauthorised connections are made outside their homes. What are your thoughts on this pressing issue? Share your views in the comments section below.
Electricity theft is quite common in complexes in Lennoxton, even the municipality workers investigating this matters suspects that it is done by an inside person in the municipality.