JOHANNESBURG - City Power is disconnecting illegal connections at hijacked buildings and scrap metal dealers in the Johannesburg CBD.
This operation comes as the utility seeks to address revenue losses and improve the City's grid capacity.
At least five buildings in the inner city were targeted, each reportedly owing around R5 million.
This is according to City Power chief risk officer Thela Abednego who says some of these properties also house informal settlements.
“This is undesirable because we need to think about the safety of the people. Some cables were found to be illegally connected, and our officials had to disconnect them,” says Abednego.
He notes that many of these buildings are occupied by illegal migrants who are paying rent to someone.
According to Abednego over 15 illegal migrants have been taken to the police station.