Africa-Press – South-Africa. Protests broke out in Pacific informal settlement in Mitchells Plain after the City of Cape Town intensified its operation to clampdown on illegal electricity connections.
Angry residents took to the streets on Tuesday after the City disconnected illegal power connections in the area.
Residents resorted to burning tyres and debris in Jakes Gerwel Road and pelted passing vehicles with stones.
Confirming the incident, City Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said the dispute involved illegal electricity connections in Mitchells Plain.
He said:
Over the last few months, the City has embarked on an operation to disconnect illegal connections in several areas.
Mayoral Committee Member for Energy Beverley van Reenen said, in line with its zero-tolerance approach to illegal electricity connections, the City had intensified disconnection operations across the metro.
“So far this year, we have carried out several successful operations, and we have confiscated truckloads of cables, which in some cases, were stolen from the City and Eskom,” she said.
Van Reenen added that Philippi, Mitchells Plain, and the surrounding areas had been hit hard due to electricity vandalism, and that this often caused prolonged electricity outages in these areas.
“The City wishes to be clear; we will not allow these acts of criminality to have an impact on the supply to residents. Our work will continue, and the City is monitoring all areas across the metro. Residents may report illegal connections and vandalism to the City and the SAPS,” she said.
In February, the City said illegal electricity connections and vandalism had cost it R2.5 million.
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