THOSE involved in illegally rerouting or interfering with the metro’s electricity infrastructure have been given a second chance after the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality recently launched the Electricity Tampering Amnesty Project.
According to the NMBM, the project was launched as part of an effort to reduce electricity losses and ensure the generation of future revenue.
Municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, said that the project had numerous aims. These included the development of a platform that would enable domestic customers (ATTP and non-ATTP) to voluntarily report all types of tampering with municipal electricity equipment, with the assurance that all associated fees and charges would be waived for the duration of the applicable period.
Another aim was to give customers who were involved in any unauthorised interference with the NMBM’s electrical equipment, the opportunity to correct their electrical connections and become fully compliant with applicable regulations, as specified in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s electricity and energy bylaws and policies.
Speaking at the launch, MMC for electricity and energy, Luxolo Namette, strongly encouraged residents who had tampered with electricity meters to come forward and take advantage of the amnesty period to rectify their meters.
“Today we are launching an amnesty programme to say to the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay who have tampered, to please come forward and report themselves.
“We are going to change your electricity meter boxes for free and we are not going to charge you,” he said.
“We are giving you amnesty for a period of 90 days, after that our officials will do door-to-door visits and we will come for those who do not report themselves,” Namette added.
Executive director for electricity and energy, Luvuyo Magalela, said that the project at the moment only covered households and not businesses.
Residents can apply for amnesty from their ward councillors’ offices.
Representatives from the Extended Public Works Programme would be stationed to assist with the completion of application forms.
“The amnesty programme will only be for 90 days, once the period has ended, we are embarking on an intensive house-to-house programme to check for culprits.
“I must warn that we will not be as polite as we are now.
“Those affected must use this opportunity,” Namette concluded.
– ISSUED BY THE NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
