SCORPION ADVISES CLOUPAS MAY NOT BE TO BLAME

THE FACTS

CLOUPAS Ndala from Soshanguve, Pretoria said he had a problem with the City of Tshwane Municipality. He found out that people have made illegal electrical connections on his property.

The municipality disconnected his electricity, and when he contacted them, they said it was because of the illegal connections. They printed the purchase statement which stated his last purchase was on 16 March 2018.

His tenants told him who was to blame and it was someone he knew. Cloupas reported the matter to the police but they refused to open a case, saying they didn’t know what kind of charge could be laid for this kind of crime. The municipality has already fined Cloupas for R23 850 that he has to pay.

WHAT I DID

I spoke to SCORPION LEGAL PROTECTION Services for professional legal advice.

SOLUTION

Cloupas can report the matter to the police and lay a charge of electricity theft or illegal connection in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act. Cloupas will have to get an independent contractor to confirm that there is an illegal connection on the property. According to law, property owners are responsible for all charges incurred in connection with their property and this includes fees for unlawful use and meter tampering. However, the municipality may investigate and determine who is responsible for the charges. Cloupas can evict the tenant and claim the charges from the tenant that may have accrued because of the illegal connection.