City warns residents against electricity theft

The City of Windhoek is concerned about a growing trend of electricity theft, which is a serious criminal offence and highly risky.In July, City Police officers arrested six people from different households for illegally reconnecting their electricity supply after it was disconnected due to non-payment.The City responded with a warning to residents that anyone found guilty faces two years behind bars or a N$16 000 fine, or both, according to Section 42 of the Electricity Act 2007.The municipality and police stressed that these types of criminal acts place a financial strain on other residents and the municipality."Residents are warned that once such activities are detected, their electricity supply will remain disconnected and will only be reinstated once a criminal case is opened, the culprit is apprehended, a split prepaid electricity metre is paid for, and necessary payments are made in terms of the City of Windhoek credit control policy and electricity supply regulations.”StrategyCity spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said that revealing the measures the City has in place to the public will only help thieves."There are systems in place that helps us track who buys electricity and who does not. Telling the public how we go about it will make it difficult for us to catch the offenders," she said.Amutenya added that the laws were amended with an increased fine and imprisonment terms after previous measures were less effective.The municipality did not specify what the financial losses have been to date.Residents are urged to report the crime to the City Police on 061 302 302 or send an SMS to 4444.

City warns residents against electricity theft

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Namibian Sun 2022-08-18

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City warns residents against electricity theft

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Namibian Sun 2022-08-18

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