A Johannesburg businessman has been arrested after allegedly being found in possession of a City Power-owned 11KV mini-substation that had disappeared from the power utility’s Booysens premises 10 years ago.
The mini-substation was discovered during a revenue collection drive in Lenasia, where it was found connected in the businessman’s residential premises.
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According to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, the customer had initially applied for a three-phase meter but had illegally obtained the mini-substation.
City Power records indicate that four mini-substations were procured at the time, but one had gone missing without a trace. The missing mini-substation was found at the businessman’s premises after a nearby business requested to be connected to the grid using the same equipment.
The estimated cost of a similar mini-substation is R400,000, and a 1km-long cable, also found on the premises, is estimated to cost R900,000. Although the electricity infrastructure was not registered on City Power’s system, the connection had been made on its network. The utility has since disconnected and repossessed the mini-substation.
City Power’s Lenasia Service Delivery Centre (SDC) is owed R1.4 billion by businesses operating in its service areas. The utility is urging businesses in the area to approach them to arrange for service agreements and address issues concerning illegal meters, tampering and bypassing of metres, and illegal connections.
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During a recent operation in Midrand, City Power disconnected several non-paying business and residential customers who collectively owe over R50 million in electricity bills. The utility is committed to taking action against illegal connections and ensuring the collection of revenue.
The businessman has been taken to Lenasia police station, where he is expected to be detained and charged with theft and tampering with electricity infrastructure. IOL has reached out to the Gauteng SAPS for an official comment on the matter.
Note: This story will be updated once the comment has been received.
