Komani Power Crackdown: Mayor Leads Bold Anti-Theft Blitz

Komani — The Executive Mayor of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality led a major multi-stakeholder operation in Komani today targeting cable theft, illegal electricity connections, and tampering with smart meters — issues that have plagued the municipality’s power supply and revenue collection.

The coordinated operation involved municipal officials, law enforcement, and other stakeholders working together to clamp down on criminal activity and non-compliance within the town.

Scrap Business Ordered to Halt Operations

During the inspection, a local scrap material business was found to be operating in violation of municipal regulations. The business was immediately instructed to suspend operations pending further investigation. Authorities also discovered an undocumented foreign national hiding on the premises, who was subsequently taken into custody by police.

Illegal Electricity Distribution Uncovered

In another incident, a business in Komani was found illegally distributing electricity to a neighbouring establishment. The illegal connection was removed, and the offending business’s supply was suspended. Municipal officials said such actions undermine fair access to services and contribute to electricity losses.

Smart Meter Tampering and Impoundment

Municipal teams also discovered six properties where customers had tampered with their smart meters to bypass billing systems. Electricity infrastructure at these sites was removed, and criminal cases are being opened against the individuals involved.

In Mlungisi, a loud-hailing vehicle operated by an unlicensed driver was impounded as part of the broader enforcement effort.

Municipality Issues Stern Warning

The Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality has reiterated that it will not tolerate acts of electricity theft or tampering. Officials emphasized that these offenses drain municipal resources, affect service delivery, and place unnecessary strain on the power grid.

“Those found tampering with smart meters or engaging in illegal electricity activities will face the full might of the law,” a municipal spokesperson said.

The municipality urged residents to report any suspicious activities related to electricity theft or vandalism of infrastructure to local authorities.

Local Impact

The operation marks a significant step in restoring accountability and stabilizing power distribution in Komani and surrounding areas of the Enoch Mgijima Municipality. It follows a series of complaints from residents about frequent outages and illegal connections affecting legitimate consumers.

Residents welcomed the crackdown, saying it sends a strong message that crime and corruption in basic services will not go unpunished.