The City of Windhoek (CoW) has appealed to residents to desist from illegal connections of electricity to each other as it will result in a fine of up to N.dollars 16 000 or two years imprisonment.

A media statement issued on Tuesday by Corporate Communications, Marketing and Public Participation Manager Harold Akwenye, said the City has noticed with great concern a growing trend of electricity theft by some residents, and they should be warned that electricity theft itself is a serious crime and pose a high risk.

Members of the public are discouraged from tampering or bypassing electricity meters, because tampering with electricity poses a serious risk to life and electricity infrastructure, which is also a major stumbling block to service delivery in Windhoek.

“Illegal connections of electricity especially within the informal settlements have become the most common way of illegally supplying power to Windhoek residents. The public is discouraged from illegally supplying electricity. We are therefore urging the public to help prevent and reduce power theft by reporting any illegal electricity connection to the City Police,” said Akwenye.

He added that residents should rather apply for legal electricity connection if their current meter is malfunctioning or if it has been tampered with, and they should make arrangements with CoW’s electricity department for their meters to be exchanged safely.

“If you suspect someone has tampered with an electricity meter, you can make a call in total confidence with our customer care help line. Take note that any offence associated with bypassing of electricity or tampering with electricity meters and illegal electricity supply carries a hefty fine of N.dollars 16 000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years in terms of section 42 of the Electricity Act 4 of 2007,” Akwenye warned.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency