Emfuleni Local Municipality has intensified its crackdown on illegal electricity reconnections in residential complexes in Vanderbijlpark’s CW area, uncovering outstanding municipal debt of more than R60 million across eight complexes.
The municipality said the affected complexes collectively owe R60 169 463.91, while illegal connections and non-payment are costing it more than R1.3 million monthly in electricity revenue and approximately R350 000 in water revenue.
The operation followed a tip-off from residents and was conducted by a multidisciplinary team comprising municipal Electrical and Revenue officials, contractors, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Gauteng Traffic Wardens.
During the intervention, officials removed illegal C-flex cables and circuit breakers. Manhattan Flats in CW5 was also disconnected after investigators discovered that it was allegedly supplying electricity illegally to nearby Villa Rosa townhouses.
Mr Teboho Morobi from the municipality’s Revenue Department described the operation as productive, saying officials had uncovered practices contributing to escalating electricity bills.
“Today is a productive day for the municipality. We uncovered how some consumers in CW5, Ferranti Street are stealing electricity and ballooning the bill. Residents are urged to refrain from these deliberate acts of lawlessness,” Morobi said.
According to the municipality, the operation marks the first of several similar interventions planned across Emfuleni, with further unannounced inspections expected.
Affected residential complexes have been urged to contact the Finance and Revenue Department to arrange for the restoration of their electricity supply.
The municipality clarified that only property owners or body corporates may negotiate restoration arrangements. Tenants seeking to act on behalf of property owners must provide a valid proxy, a certified police affidavit and a copy of the owner’s identity document.
The municipality has called on residents to take responsibility for municipal services by paying for their consumption and refraining from illegal connections, which undermine revenue collection and contribute to financial losses.
It further urged residents to recognise that responsible citizenship includes meeting their municipal obligations rather than engaging in unlawful practices that worsen service delivery challenges.
