KwaDukuza to install new power system, assigns R15-million
An amount of R15-million has been set aside to curb illegal electricity connections in KwaDukuza's municipality.
Mayor Ricardo Mthembu says the municipality loses hundreds of thousands of kilowatts via illegally connected lines and the money will go towards a pilot project for the installation of smart meters.
He tabled his 2017/18 annual report yesterday.
Mthembu says through the computerised meter system, they'll be able to pinpoint the culprits and remotely turn power on and off.
He says this will also help with angry community members, who often protest over electricity.
"Sometimes when you disconnect people who are connecting illegally, they mobilise themselves and chase away those people who are there to disconnect. We understand the economic situation, unemployment, and people earning less than what they can afford in terms of what the needs are. But we are saying - we do have policies that deal with people who are struggling so there is no need for people to steal."
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