THE Kouga Local Municipality, together with the local SAPS, plan to work together to combat illegal electrical connections in Ocean View, Jeffreys Bay, after a five-year-old boy was electrocuted to death by an illegal electrical connection in the area.
On November 26, Kouga Express reported about the tragic death of Whaydon Potberg who was electrocuted while playing a few feet away from his house in Ocean View Drive on November 18.
In the previous report, Kouga Infrastructure and Engineering Portfolio Councillor, Bryan Dhludhlu, said that their cases which were opened by the SAPS against illegal connectors were not being investigated.
The Kouga Local Municipality then met with the local SAPS on November 23, to find a solution for the ongoing issue with illegal electrical connections in Ocean View.
“It was resolved that further meetings would be arranged with the district management at the SAPS to discuss operations of the uniform team and the detectives,” said Dhludhlu.
“The SAPS and the municipality will be working together to identify and implement strategies to discourage and minimise illegal connections.”
Dhludhlu said members of the Public Order Police Service (POPS) were in Jeffreys Bay on November 25, to assist with the illegal electrical connections.
“The operation was completed successfully. However, after the operation, the substation was again broken into by community members and the transformer was reconnected,” said Dhludhlu.
“Another operation is being planned.”
According to police spokesperson, Sergeant Majola Nkohli, an inquest docket is being investigated after the alleged electrocution of a five-year-old boy on November 18.
He further said a post-mortem was conducted on November 23.
“The results were, however, still being awaited and the matter is under investigation,” said Nkohli.
He said the local police could confirm that the municipality had opened several cases regarding illegal electrical connections.
“For the period between 2019/2020, a total of six cases were reported at the Jeffreys Bay SAPS and were thoroughly investigated,” said Nkohli.
“In some of these cases arrests were made; however it must be mentioned that there are challenges in bringing about successful prosecutions because witnesses are reluctant to submit statements or to come forward and some cases were withdrawn, as there was insufficient evidence to charge a suspect.”
Referring to a previous statement made by Dhludhlu, Nkohli said it was unfortunate that the municipality official accused the SAPS of not investigating cases, even though several meetings were held with municipal officials to give feedback on reported cases, not only for Jeffreys Bay, but for the entire Kouga region.
He said in the meetings, several strategies were also discussed to curb illegal connections.
“In the recent past, several operations were conducted in conjunction with the municipal law enforcement unit to curb illegal connections. These operations included the removal of illegally connected wires,” said Nkohli.
“Some of these joint operations were met with protests or violence from residents. For this reason, members from the Public Order Policing Service form part of these operations, as a force multiplier.”
He confirmed that the last operation was held on November 25.
To further emphasise the local police’s dedication to investigating and solving cases of this matter, Nkohli said that in August this year the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court sentenced Vukile Luthi from St Francis Bay to eight years’ imprisonment for tampering with the essential infrastructure.
He said Luthi was caught red-handed while busy with illegal connections in Seaview in June 2020.
“Police are urging residents to refrain from illegal connections as it could result in fatalities.
“Such connections are unsafely constructed and do not have the required electrical protection,” said Nkohli.
He further said any person who comes across an individual busy with illegal connections, is urged to contact the nearest police station by dialling 112 or by contacting the Kouga Local Municipality on 042 200 2200.
