Persistent Illegal Connections in Goudrand Leave Residents Feeling Ignored

Continuous illegal connections in Goudrand, specifically on the corner of Clubhouse and Caddie streets, have become a significant concern for residents as they impact their livelihoods and pose safety risks. Despite Johannesburg City Power’s efforts to remove the illegal connections and the recent cable removal exercise that saw 16 tons of illegally connected cable worth over R900,000 removed, the problem persists as the connections are reestablished shortly after removal.

Residents expressed frustration over the frequent power outages caused by the burning cables, leaving them without electricity for days. Appliances and electronics are also affected by high or low voltage, leading to damages and losses. Jabu Moyo, a resident in the area, highlighted the challenges they face due to illegal connections, and even though there have been calls to City Power, updates and permanent solutions have been lacking.

Also read: City Power Urges Vigilance Against Cable Theft

City Power acknowledged the issue and stated they are committed to safeguarding and protecting the electricity network infrastructure against various crime risks. They also shared the number of incidents of vandalism and cable theft they recorded and the arrests made in previous years. However, residents demand a long-term solution to prevent the recurrence of illegal connections.

In response, City Power assured that they would increase resources to regularly inspect and crack down on illegal connections to address theft and asset loss across the city. They emphasised that illegal connections unfairly burden paying residents, causing constant interruptions and inconvenience to those who pay for their electricity. The utility’s ongoing efforts aim to curb illegal connections and ensure a stable and reliable power supply for all residents.

Source: Continuous illegal connections in Goudrand leave residents feeling unheard

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Picture: Twitter / cora_bailey

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