illegal electricity connection

: Dumisile Magagula

This can cause the cable to absorb its heat and create an electric shock that will burn the house.

My neighbor burned an old couch in his yard at the back of the house in broad daylight. Other neighbors were angry at him because of the smoke. Those who were resting or sleeping in their homes inhaled the smoke of the fire, affecting their health due to respiratory illness.

It happened in Empumelelweni (my location) in my neighbor’s yard around 11 a.m., on the 12 of May 2024. If the cables were put next to the fire and caught the electrical heat, the house might blast, and the blast of the house may have caused a lot of damage. Also, the kids next to the fire might get hurt.

The illegal connection of electricity started when the local municipality raised the bill, people couldn’t afford and they bridged the electricity. Those who don’t have one, ask those who have one and pay R 500 every month, that is why cables are found outside the house on the ground not covered. This is also dangerous to the children especially when it rains.

The local municipality is affected and is losing a lot of revenue because people don’t buy electricity. They rather prefer to bridge and steal electricity. The life of the community and particularly the children is in danger. They can get hurt at any time because people just burn and cables are lying on the ground. My neighbor must dig deep for the cables to be covered, not to be seen or be visible to the people.

I saw the fire, so I jumped fast and poured water to stop the fire. I also told the kids to go far from the fire, my neighbor was not even in the house.