Uncaring EFF Government make residents pay for cable theft

Statement by Cllr. Wollaston Labuschagne — DA Ward Councillor in Ekurhuleni

Date: 27 October 2023

Release: Immediate

Type: Media Statement

In a memorandum dated April 2022 the CoE Energy Department, HOD Tshilidzi Thenga informed his department’s area engineers of a new stolen service connection cables procedure stating that residents need to obtain a police statement if municipal service cables have been stolen. The memorandum continues to vaguely explain that customers need to pay an amount of R1 500 excluding VAT before the cables would be replaced.

During the past year, numerous such electrical service cables have been stolen in Nigel due to the lack of security. Not once has the Nigel Energy depot manager or technicians hesitated to replace stolen cables — until the week of 16 October 2023 when affected residents were told without any prior notice that the one-sided memorandum procedure is now being enforced.

The DA has fought against this controversial memorandum stating that it incorrectly interpreted the City’s Electricity By-law. Residents paying the R1 500 reconnection fee, equates to an admission of guilt, while the by-law requires the affected party to also report an incident of theft to the South African Police Services.

The uncaring ANC/EFF government is placing unnecessary costs on ratepayers when the city is responsible for safeguarding municipal infrastructure.

I will submit questions through Council to the newly appointed and inexperienced Water & Energy MMC, Cllr Thembi Msane to provide clarity on how the city is implementing this by-law and request for a review of the Memorandum.

I will also drive a petition against this ludicrous procedure.

Cllr. Wollaston Labuschagne

DA Ward Councillor in Ekurhuleni

082 413 4318