By Anita Dangazele
- Gqeberha’s wealthy suburbs were caught stealing electricity and water as the municipality launched a massive crackdown on R21-million debt.
- One rich property owner who owes R727,131 busted with illegal electricity and water connections across three luxury properties.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is cutting off electricity and water to properties with overdue accounts in a crackdown on wealthy residents caught stealing utilities.
One guesthouse, which is in arrears, was found to have illegally connected electricity, with no meter box.
Three other properties in Humewood, Summerstrand and Walmer belonging to one individual were also disconnected after it was discovered that they had not only connected electricity illegally but water as well.
The owner of the three properties owes the municipality a staggering R727,131 in arrears.
The metro is targeting businesses and residents that owe a collective R21-million during the blitz.
Budget and treasury political head Khanya Ngqisha led the blitz and disconnected the meter outside the Summerstrand property.
“People think they’re smart, they can outsmart the municipality and we’re showing them that they can never outsmart us. If you can afford to stay in lavish areas and you own four to five properties and you avoid paying us, we are going to find you and we’re going to disconnect you and you’ll be forced to pay,” Ngqisha said.
He said this was more than a technical process but a vital step in ensuring that the municipality can continue delivering essential services such as clean water, waste collection, electricity, and road maintenance.
“When accounts go unpaid, service delivery is affected for everyone. Residents are strongly encouraged to make payment arrangements to avoid disconnection and help build a city that works for all,” he added.
The blitz focused on three residential areas, such as Framesby, Sunridge Park and Ferglen. Business areas included Humewood, Summerstrand, Central, Walmer, Mount Road, Korsten, New Brighton, Coega, and Deal Party.
Pictured above: Budget and Treasury Political Head Khanya Ngqisha disconnecting electricity at a property in Summerstrand, Gqeberha.
Image source: Supplied
