TWO informal settlements in Mamelodi, Tshwane, are at loggerheads over electricity.
This after Phase 1 residents accused people from Tjovitjo informal Ssttlement of stealing electricity from their transformer.
Angry Phase 1 residents said their transformer burnt down in December 2022 and they blame Tjovitjo squatters.
They said their electricity was connected by the municipality and Tjovitjo residents should ask the municipality to help them with electricity rather than steal from them.
Phase 1 resident Shinny Tjebane (41) said some residents from their area are also selling electricity to Tjovitjo residents, and Phase 1 residents are asked to pay at least R200 a month per household.
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"Our transformer is now overloaded. They have been stealing our electricity for the past four years. We were not aware that someone was stealing electricity from us as our transformer was always tripping. Our electrical appliances have broken down because of this matter," she said.
"These people are making money while we suffer. This is our transformer. We will take pictures of anyone we see tampering with our transformer and send it to the police."
Chairman of Phase 1, Jappie Nkoana (50), said they will protect their transformer at all costs.
He said municipal officials advised them that the transformer was overloaded and that's why it often breaks.
Daily Sun contacted the person residents accused of selling electricity to Tjovitjo residents.
She said: "Who are you, are you stalking me? Bring proof if you want to talk to me. That person who gave you my contacts does he pay for electricity? Please don't call me again."
Ward 93 Councillor Rabasotho Masupha said he is aware that one of the two informal settlements is connecting electricity illegally.
"We cannot allow people to generate money illegally from the city. We condemned the illegal connection of electricity," he said.
City of Tshwane spokesman, Lindela Mashigo, said the informal settlement will not get services if it is not legal.
