GEORGE NEWS - George has a very high number of Illegal/unauthorised connections that are connected to George Municipality electrical network.
The municipality has various electrification programmes in place to assist with the provision of basic services and yet, in the recent months the quantity of unauthorised connections has increased.
The installations are dangerous and do not comply with any electricity standards.
The municipality infrastructure is not protected against these installations.
The following risks are present with these types of connections:
• Fires,
• Fatalities (particularly during wet weather),
• Disabling injuries,
• Overloading existing infrastructure – causing power outages ,
• Damage to property,
• Quality of supply issues such as low voltage.
The connections are made to the following sections of the municipal network:
• Low Voltage overhead or underground infrastructure
• Low voltage kiosk
• Miniature Substations etc.
In most cases the preventative measures in place to prevent unauthorised entry or access to the live equipment is vandalised or tampered with.
The electrical leads used are not adequately insulated and there are live exposed wires in public spaces or surrounding areas. In the past members of the public have been injured or killed when making contact with such live exposed wires.
During repairs and maintenance on the municipal network, there are sometimes illegal / unauthorised connections present, especially in the hotspots as identified (Thembalethu Zone 5– 9 and Pacaltsdorp).
These incidents are reported to the Electrotechnical Services Theft and Vandalism section who are responsible to remove the unauthorised infrastructure.
In this state it is unsafe to energise or work on municipal infrastructure and only once the unauthorised infrastructure is removed, is it possible to reinstate the power to all the affected customers. In some instances, no fault finding is possible due to the high presence of unauthorised infrastructure.
In all instances the power outage duration exceeds the municipal service level agreement, and this results in poor public perception and reduced service delivery.
In some instances, Electrotechnical Distribution personnel are prohibited from carrying out their duties by the public residing in the area where the power disruption occurred. In a few cases, the exit routes are blockaded, and personnel are not permitted to leave the work site until the power is restored.
Applicable Legislation: OHS Act No 85 of 1993: Electrical Installation Regulations Design and Construction
(1) No person may authorise, design, install or permit or require the installation of an electrical installation, other than in accordance with a health and safety standard incorporated into these Regulations under section 44 of the Act.
(2) No person may use components within an electrical installation unless those components comply with the standards referred to in the relevant incorporated standard referred to in sub regulation (1), and proof of compliance shall be identifiable on the components or certification shall be available from the manufacturer or supplier of the materials or components in terms of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act, 2008 (Act 5 of 2008)
(3) Items of an electrical installation not covered by an incorporated health and safety standard, and the conductors between the point of supply and the point of control, shall be installed in accordance with the by-laws or regulations of the supplier concerned.
Electrical contractor
(1) No person may do electrical installation work as an electrical contractor unless that person has been registered as an electrical contractor in terms of these Regulations.
This public announcement is therefore a plea to the communities of George to refrain from tampering, vandalising, interfering and / or connecting to the Municipal electrical infrastructure as there are high risks involved, especially to the safety of the public.
Report illegal connections on 044 801 9222/044 803 9222 or 044 801 6300 (a/h).
Report people making illegal connections on 0860 044 044, SAPD 10111 or the numbers above.
Reward
George Municipality is offering a R2500 reward for information leading to the successful conviction of electrical theft and/or vandalism in a court of law.
The witness will have to go on record to the authorities and give his/her name and contact details for the purpose of testifying, but his/her identity will be protected.
Phone 0860 044 044 to be eligible for the reward.
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