The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has launched an aggressive campaign to disconnect electricity and water to properties with overdue accounts, targeting both residential and commercial offenders. In a recent operation, officials discovered a guesthouse in the affluent Summerstrand area with an illegal electricity connection, bypassing the municipal meter entirely.
Zero Tolerance for Non-Payment and Illegal Connections
The municipality’s MMC for Electricity and Energy, along with metro police, conducted raids on multiple properties owned by individuals with significant outstanding debts. One such property, a guesthouse leased out for business, was found to have no meter box—indicating an illegal connection that allowed the occupants to use electricity without payment.
“We are starting with the rich and the famous, unapologetically,” declared the MMC. “If you can afford to stay in lavish areas, own multiple properties, and avoid paying, we will find you and disconnect you.”
R7.5 Billion in Unpaid Debts Strains Municipal Budget
The municipality revealed that outstanding debts from overdue accounts and illegal connections total a staggering R7.5 billion—nearly half of its annual R20 billion budget. This massive shortfall severely impacts service delivery for residents who do pay their bills.
Forced Entry and Disconnections
In some cases, property owners and tenants refused access to municipal officials, prompting metro police to forcibly enter. At one guesthouse, the cleaning staff initially refused to open the meter cupboard, claiming the owner had taken the key. Upon gaining entry, officials found no meter box—only an illegal isolator, confirming electricity theft.
“This is not just happening in townships,” emphasized the MMC. “We’re finding illegal connections in upscale neighborhoods like Summerstrand, where people think they can outsmart the system.”
Legal Consequences and Continued Enforcement
The municipality warns that illegal connections and non-payment are criminal offenses, and offenders could face legal action. The current disconnection drive aims to recover lost revenue and deter further violations.
As the operation continues, more properties—particularly those owned by serial offenders—are expected to face disconnections. The municipality urges all residents and businesses to settle their debts or face consequences.
