City Power to continue engaging with DHS to relocate residents living beneath power servitude
The utility said the informal settlement was situated beneath its power servitude, which carries high-voltage lines.
FILE: Illegal electricity connection. Picture: Christa Eybers/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - City Power said that it would continue to engage the human settlements department to relocate residents of an informal settlement along London Road in Alexandra, north of Joburg.
The utility said the settlement was situated beneath its power servitude, which carries high-voltage lines.
This puts the residents at risk due to the dangerous proximity of shacks to electricity infrastructure.
On Friday, City Power carried out a cut off operation to get rid of illegal connections in the area.
It said that only 11% of residents in Alexandra were paying for electricity.
Spokesperson Isaac Mangena said that illegal connections remained a serious problem
"We have engaged with the community on the issue of illegal connections. We've had to replace five mini substations in the area recently due to damage caused by these illegal connections," said Mangena.