An illegal electricity connector, known colloquially as an Izinyoka, was arrested in eThekwini last week.

According to the municipality the man, who was allegedly disguised as a contractor hired by the eThekwini municipality, was found with Municipal cables trying to reconnect electricity at a private property in Clare Estate.

The City received a tip-off from concerned residents who were aware that the electricity meter had been removed from the property months ago.

“Residents alerted the City saying that they often saw the occupants renting the house in Palmiet Road tampering with cables every afternoon before the lights came on,” a Municipal electricity technician says.

An investigating team was then assigned to monitor the situation and keep a close watch on the property’s electricity consumption which led to the arrest of the culprit, who remains in police custody.

eThekwini Mayor Councillor James Nxumalo commended the work of the City’s Electricity Unit and South African Police Services.

“I commend the Clare Estate community for alerting the Municipality because acts of vandalism like electricity and cable theft cannot be addressed by the Municipality and the police alone but require vigilance from members of the public.

“The City will intensify the fight against illegal electricity connections so that many more culprits will be arrested,” he says.

To track down illegal electricity connections, Municipal teams carry out sweeps, with heavy security, and do spot checks to remove illegal connections.

The scourge of illegal electricity connection has been an on-going challenge in eThekwini Municipality.

Several initiatives including modifications to the infrastructure have been taken to minimise the impact of illegal connections.