KNYSNA NEWS - Residents who have tampered with electricity will be billed each time the municipality repairs or services an electricity meter that has been subjected to tampering; and the amount will increase with every incident until the municipality eventually removes the meter.
This was announced by Knysna Municipality's Acting Municipal Manager Dawid Adonis in a press statement on Friday 5 February.
He said Council has authorised the administration to see to the removal and disconnection of unauthorised, illegal connections to the municipal grid.
"Tampering with the electrical grid is extremely dangerous and can lead to fire, injury, or death. There are also financial implications and persons who have allowed illegal connections to their existing supply, or persons who have connected illegally, may be held liable for the fees and charges we incur during the disconnection process," he said.
Adonis said there are fines payable each time the municipality needs to repair or service an electricity meter that has been tampered with.
A service charge will be billed to the customer who benefited from such a tampering, with the fee increasing at each incident as follows:
• R3 885 for the first incident;
• R5 776 for the second incident; and
• R7 772 for the third incident.
"The meter will be removed after the fourth incident of tampering and a new connection fee will be payable before the supply of electricity is restored," he said, warning that illegal connections can overload the existing legal infrastructure, create protection grading problems, interrupt the quality of the supply and lead to faults occurring.
"It also presents an external financial implication to the municipality. Legislation allows the municipality to disconnect the supply of electricity to any premises, or to restrict and/or allocate credit purchases for prepayment meters."
Adonis also said "relevant circumstances include where tampering with the service connection or supply mains has occurred; where there is a case of grave risk to any person or property; and for reasons of community safety or the safety of emergency personnel. An external service provider will be appointed to implement Council's decision."
He stated that it is the municipality's statutory and legal responsibility to remove these illegal electrical connections.
"But we also have a moral obligation of keeping our residents safe. And it is one that we take seriously. Residents are encouraged to report illegal electrical connections to 044 302 6397/9," he said.
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