Thabile Kweyama

Illegal electricity connections are causing electricity cuts in some households in Umlazi, V section, South of Durban since 8 am on Monday.

“Electricity failure is caused by either an overload in the network when the cables have been wrongfully connected which causes the network to trip or due to an explosion of the transformer,” said an electrical engineer Ziphozenkosi Sibisi.

Community members are complaining about having higher electricity bills and buying more prepaid electricity vouchers than before.

Noluvo Msalavu, a community member said that some community members illegally connect electricity cables because they do not want to pay for their electricity bill.

“Some of us that buy prepaid electricity vouchers have noticed that the electricity balance in the meter decreases drastically,” said Msalavu.

EThekwini Municipality electricity contractor was called by community members to help with the electricity failure.

The technician, Sandile Cele said that the electricity cuts were caused by an overload in the network due to the illegal connections. The technician was able to fix the issue of the network trip and electricity was available in all households.

“They don’t want to buy electricity vouchers, so they illegally connect electricity so the electricity balance decreases slowly in the meter and that is wrong, “said a ward committee member Nqobile Mgilane.

Picture: Thabile Kweyama