GEORGE NEWS - Electricity and cable theft in Thembalethu is an ongoing headache for the George Municipality and when someone is caught tampering with electricity, the arrest is welcomed.
Such an arrest was made on Tuesday morning, 18 February, when a 48-year-old man was caught red-handed by municipal employees while he was allegedly busy with illegal electricity connections in 37th Street in Zone 7.
Portfolio Councillor for Electrotechnical Services, Edmund Bussack, welcomed the arrest saying that the municipality will continue to act decisively in such matters.
"It is well known that the practice of illegal connections puts the perpetrator in danger of electrocution, risking injury and death to themselves as well as the rest of the community. These connections lie across pathways and walkways where any passer-by can easily be electrocuted," he said.
Acting director Paul Gerber confirmed that charges have been laid against the suspect. "This Act allows for a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, as the interference with and damage to municipal property can be regarded as sabotage," he said.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court today.
Connecting to the municipal network without permission is illegal. This includes connecting wires to pole-mounted transformers, pole kiosks and overhead lines.
Electricity theft includes illegal connections, illegal electrification schemes, meter tampering and bypassing.
Report illegal connections on 044 803 9222 or 044 801 9222 or 044 801 6300 (a/h).
Illegal structures that are fed by the pole-mounted transformer the suspect was tampering with. Photos: Kristy Kolberg
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