Media statement 6 May 2024
Cllr Jacqui Uys
MMC for Finance
On Friday, 3 May 2024, the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) arrested a Pretoria Central resident for illegally reconnecting his electricity after it was disconnected by the City of Tshwane. The resident has been charged with tampering with municipal infrastructure and theft of electricity.
This arrest follows the recent arrests of two Garsfontein homeowners and a former Tshwane contractor in April 2024 for tampering with municipal infrastructure and theft of electricity. The City also opened a criminal case against a Centurion shopping centre in March 2024 for a similar offence.
The City of Tshwane has implemented a protocol to arrest and criminally charge residents for tampering with municipal infrastructure and theft of electricity when they are found to have illegally reconnected themselves following a disconnection.
Tshwane Ya Tima is continuing to disconnect residents, businesses and government institutions who have accounts in arrears. In addition, the campaign is actively focusing on auditing electricity and water meters to find bridged meters or properties with straight connections.
In the week of 29 April to 5 May 2024, 1 174 meters were audited and 172 were found to have been bridged. A total of R4,7 million worth of fines were issued.
A culture of non-payment and theft of electricity and other services have gotten the City into the financially challenging position it faces today. Therefore, this cannot go unchallenged, as residents have a responsibility to pay for services rendered.
I want to thank all the residents who pay their accounts on time and urge those in arrears to make payment arrangements or apply to the Affordability Committee to get a portion of your past debt written off, giving you an opportunity to keep your municipal account current and in good standing.
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MMC Jacqui Uys