Councillor Gert Niemand recently escorted the Record on a short tour of illegal electricity connections surrounding the Princess informal settlement.
Although everyone is aware of the problem, the extent and danger often is not realised. In an area of less than 1,5km² Niemand pointed out more than 10 illegal connections and literally more than a kilometre’s conducting wire that is connected illegally and run to the settlement. Except for the criminality of these connections, other aspects raised alarm.
Without fail these live wires are exposed. Sometimes in the veld people could step on these wires accidentally and in other cases they were on school routes or in the close vicinity where children play. At more than one point of connection these electrical wires were run through wetland streams.
At approximately 9.30am Niemand and the Record were about to exit onto Main Reef Road from Van De Linde Street when in broad daylight in full view of passing motorists (and assumably some law enforcement vehicles) two alleged electricity thieves were caught in the act.
Click here to view photos of these dangerous connections and the alleged thieves on camera:
