BLOEMFONTIEN – Centlec, electricity supplier to consumers in the Mangaung Metro, has launched a 60-day general amnesty for consumers with illegal electricity connections. The amnesty is for customers with illegal, tampered, or moved meter boxes who voluntarily disclose their status.
The entity announced the amnesty aimed at allowing residents in the Mangaung Metro to regularise their accounts without facing immediate penalties or criminal prosecution. It stated this followed a resolution taken by the Mangaung Metro council on 29 January, approving the proposal submitted by the power utility and its board.
Tseliso Leba, acting spokesperson for Centlec, said the initiative is effective from 30 January until the end of April, excluding holidays and weekends.
“Therefore, customers are advised to act promptly.”
After the 60-day period, the utility will resume strict penalties, including doubling fees for second offences and potentially removing service for repeated issues.
“In the previous financial year, more than 500 meters were identified as having been tampered with,” said Leba.
“More than R12 million in fines were issued. Fines ranged from R17 251,65 to R71 945,92, depending on the type and the connection size,” said Leba.
He said as of December 2024, more than 13 000 meters were flagged as not purchasing electricity, following continued investigations to ensure compliance. The entity distributes electricity to approximately 186 858 customers. The entity pointed that illegal connections and electricity theft significantly impact its operations through financial losses, infrastructure damage, and service disruptions.
Leba said the amnesty was designed as a clean-slate intervention aimed at reintegrating informal and low-income electricity users into the regulated system, while promoting fairness, compliance, and long-term system stability. Consumers who voluntarily disclose meter tampering or illegal connections during the amnesty period stand to benefit in the following ways:
■ Qualify for a full waiver of penalties – fines and back-dated billing penalties for tampering will be waived, though some cases may be subject to a reduced flat fee.
■ Immunity – no criminal prosecution for electricity theft, provided an acknowledgment of debt is signed.
■ Free normalisation – Centlec teams will fix and seal the meters for free.
Affected consumers will be required to complete a declaration of electricity meter tampering or illegal connection form as well as a request for electricity meter normalisation form. Added to that, applicants must provide proof of home ownership where applicable, a quotation or fine imposed and a valid identity document (ID). A five-day waiting period to assess the application applies. Affected consumers are urged to make use of this opportunity to regularise their electricity supply and ensure compliance necessary to maintain a reliable electricity network for all.
For enquiries, customers can contact the number 051 412 2621 during office hours.
