Illegally connected power cables, mostly running underground in Dukathole, were removed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
The multi-disciplinary operation was led by the metro\u2019s energy department and the EMPD Cable Theft Unit.<\/p>
The operation was aimed at restoring a fully functional electrical network to the area and its surrounds after four transformers exploded recently due to the heavy load caused by the illegal connections.<\/p>\n
The operation was part of the metro\u2019s plans to ensure that all illegal connections are uprooted before technicians commence with upgrading the damaged infrastructure.<\/p>
The illegal connections are the main cause of the overloaded electricity supply grid which results in persistent power supply interruptions in the area.<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Residents descend on Germiston, demanding serviced stands<\/a><\/p>\n Workers demand answers from metro as to when jobs will be made permanent<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Electrical infrastructure components such as transformers, switchgear and cables have also been destroyed.<\/p>\n Meters for the illegal connections were also discovered.<\/p>\n \u201cPlans are underway to install new transformers and other damaged electrical equipment to stabilise the supply of electricity.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, in order to do so we need to work on a network that has not been tampered with through illegal connections, hence we started with the disconnection operation,\u201d said MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy Clr Tiisetso Nketle.<\/p>\n Ekurhuleni loses close to R800-million a year in unaccounted electricity caused by illegal power connections across the metro.<\/p>\n Residents are encouraged to report any illegal connections or suspicion of illegal connection activities through the municipal call centre on 086 054 3000.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n