City Power seizes illegal transformers, cables in Kya Sands operation

Thirteen illegally connected transformers and over 15 000 kilograms of cables were discovered and confiscated from Msawawa informal settlement in Kya Sands, Randburg.

This comes after City Power conducted an operation in the area in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, which was part of the load reduction strategy on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, City Power confiscated over 15 000 kilograms of Aerial Bundle Cables, copper, aluminum, and bare wires valued at R800 000 in Leratong Village informal settlement, in Johannesburg.

Nine properties owing more than R70 million across the Inner City were also disconnected.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena says the 13 transformers are each estimated to cost around R450 000.

“During the process of cutting and removing cables that were connected to our network, we discovered that there were several transformers that were discreetly concealed from the eyes of the public and hid behind brick-walled structures in the informal settlement.

Some of the transformers are suspected to have been stolen. And our teams from the security risk management are working hard to track and also investigate, working with other law enforcement agencies whether this equipment was stolen from city power or other municipalities, but also including utilities like Eskom,” Mangena explains.

Mangena says nine of those transformers were immediately removed and transported to City Power’s head offices, adding that the rest have been secured and will be cleared on Thursday.