By: Hertha Ekandjo
Six people have been arrested in July 2022 in connection with electricity theft, City of Windhoek has revealed.
The municipality’s external communications officer, Lydia Amutenya, said the City has moved from only giving fines to those found stealing electricity as was done previously.
“Six people were arrested in July after they reconnected their electricity meters that were cut off by the city,” she said
“When we detect these activities, you will be fined, and people would normally go and pay their fine. Now we have moved from the fining position to get the culprit arrested,” said Amutenya.
She further said that the trend of electricity has been growing.
According to her, the culprits were arrested for reconnecting electricity meters after the City cut off their electricity due to non-payment.
If caught stealing electricity, one can be punished with a fine of N$16000 or two years imprisonment or both, according to the municipality.
Amutenya said reconnecting electricity by oneself was a serious criminal offence and could be dangerous too.
She stated that the City started an operation with the City police to arrest those who are caught partaking in such activities.
The communications officer urged those living informal settlements not to participate in illegal electricity access activities and should be patient till the City comes through for them.
“We will continue to do our best, but before we bring electricity, there are other processes that we have to follow. You can not just give electricity just because the person needs it. We also need to restructure how these people were fitted if they are properly in an area that they are,” emphasised Amutenya.
The City, in a media release on Tuesday, warned the city residents against electricity theft.
The City stated that it was concerned about the growing trend of electricity theft, which is a serious criminal offence and highly risky.
Moreover, the release read that in July, the City Police arrested six people from different households for illegally reconnecting their electricity supply after it was disconnected due to non-payment.
“According to Section 42 of the electricity act of 2007, reconnecting or restoring disconnected or suspended electricity, tampering with electricity meters, and connecting electricity unlawfully is a serious offence,” the municipality said.
“Residents are therefore warned that their electricity supply will remain disconnected once such activities are detected. It will only be reinstated once a criminal case is opened, the culprit is apprehended, a split prepaid electricity meter is paid for, and necessary payments are made. This is in terms of the City of Windhoek Credit Control Policy and Electricity Supply Regulations,” the release warned.
