City Power, with support from Johannesburg’s Public Safety Department, disconnected electricity at a residential property in Houghton following the discovery of illegal and hazardous living arrangements.
On Wednesday, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) raided the house and found about 90 undocumented foreign nationals crammed into the premises. Also, the authorities cited severe overcrowding, poor sanitation, and non-compliance with municipal by-laws. The living conditions raised alarm over safety, public health, and the unlawful use of City services.
Electricity cut due to gross abuse
City Power swiftly disconnected the building’s electricity through a high-level intervention.
“In line with City Power’s mandate to uphold the integrity of the electricity grid and ensure lawful consumption, our team removed the feeder cable supplying the property and the internal cables within the yard,” said spokesperson Isaac Mangena.
Furthermore, he confirmed that this action, known as a Level 3 disconnection, is the most severe cut-off used only in serious electricity infrastructure abuse or illegal connections.
Municipal crackdown on unsafe buildings
The operation forms part of a campaign to clamp down on hijacked or illegally occupied properties in Johannesburg. Additionally, City Power continues to work with other departments to reclaim urban spaces and enforce safety regulations.
“We continue to support interdepartmental operations that aim to reclaim hijacked and unsafe buildings across Johannesburg, safeguarding residents and ensuring responsible use of municipal services,” Mangena added.
Ongoing Efforts to Protect the City
The disconnection signals the city’s commitment to preventing resource misuse and protecting residents from unsafe environments.
City Power urges the public to report suspicious electricity connections and illegal activity through the toll-free number 0800 002 587.
How should cities balance humanitarian concerns with the need to enforce law and order in unsafe, overcrowded housing cases?
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