Joburg's City Power removes illegal connections worth an estimated R500k in Alex
Utility spokesperson Isaac Mangena revealed that some of the cables recovered during the operation were sold to employees within the entity.
A City Power employee. Picture: Rejoice Ndlovu/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - City Power has removed illegal connections worth an estimated half a million rand in Alexandra township as part of a targeted cut-off operation, north of Johannesburg.
On Wednesday, technicians escorted by South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) descended on the area to dismantle illegal setups to stabilise the city’s overburdened grid.
The utility's spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, revealed that some of the cables recovered during the operation were sold to employees within the entity.
City Power said Wednesday’s operation yielded positive results, taking it closer to regaining control of Johannesburg’s electricity network.
Officials said illegal connections drain resources and pose a serious safety risk to communities and technicians.
Wednesday's enforcement action forms part of a broader strategy to root out theft, hold internal culprits accountable and protect the city’s power infrastructure from further sabotage.
Mangena said, “Within City Power, these are actually cables taken by our own employees or contractors, who then help informal settlements reconnect. But we’ve been clamping down on that.”
While one community was disconnected today, dozens more across Johannesburg remain illegally linked to the city’s infrastructure, putting pressure on the grid.