THEMBISA — Police and energy officials pulled the plug on 3,000 illegal electricity connections during a joint sweep through Thembisa on Feb. 18. Teams from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department’s Anti-Cable Theft Unit hit Ehlanzeni Cemetery and surrounding neighborhoods hard.

Officers from the Northern Region joined forces with the First Response Unit and Public Order Policing squads. Energy Revenue Enhancement Team members led the technical work, backed by South African Police Service personnel, Calvin Family Security guards, and Energy Operations and Maintenance staff, authorities said.

The blitz aimed straight at curbing electricity theft. Illegal hookups strain the grid, spark fires, and leave paying customers short on reliable power. “These connections pose serious safety risks and rob the community of stable supply,” an Ekurhuleni official stated after the operation wrapped up.

Workers snipped wires and yanked meters from poles and shacks across the site. No arrests were reported immediately, but officials noted the scale of the problem. Thembisa has seen repeated complaints about power disruptions tied to theft.

Residents in nearby Kaalfontein protested illegal connections just weeks ago, blocking streets to demand action. That unrest highlighted growing frustration with blackouts and high bills for those who pay.

Ekurhuleni officials hailed the takedown as a key step. The city loses millions of rands yearly to theft, according to revenue reports. Operations like this one form part of a broader crackdown launched last year.

Similar raids in other Ekurhuleni townships have netted hundreds of connections before. In one recent sweep, teams recovered stolen cables worth thousands. Officials plan more joint patrols to keep the pressure on.

Power theft thrives in high-density areas like Thembisa, where informal settlements make enforcement tricky. Residents often bypass meters to dodge costs amid South Africa’s energy crisis. State utility Eskom reports nationwide losses topping 20 billion rands annually from such scams.

After the disconnections, crews inspected lines for damage. No major outages followed, but officials urged locals to report suspicious wiring. Hotlines for tips run through Ekurhuleni’s energy department and SAPS stations.

The operation highlights Ekurhuleni’s push for safer networks. City leaders vow to ramp up efforts as loadshedding eases but theft persists. Next targets could include hotspots flagged by community watch groups.