Illegal electricity connection, meter tampering, and other forms of electricity theft have been major challenges in Africa’s electricity access. Several countries in the continent have come up with policies to halt the advancement of these illegal behaviours. However, they appear to fall on deaf ears as electrocution cases due to illegal connection have continued to increase.
Due to illegal connection, the most recent electrocution case gave the victims a gate pass to the other world. In Crosby, Johannesburg, South Africa, the incident occurred where two newly wedded couples lost their lives ten days after their marriage ceremony.
After investigations were carried out as the cause of the death point to electrocution, City Power, the electricity supplier, reported that the electricity connection to the couple’s residence was illegal and the earthing wire was disconnected. In addition, the metering equipment on the property was also tampered with.
The ripple effects of electricity theft are numerous as it affects the utility provider, electricity customers and the fraudsters who engage in such theft.
On the utility provider’s side, electricity theft takes several forms, including meter bypass, illegal connection, meter tampering, the introduction of foreign objects to slow down the meter reading accuracy, etc. They become unable to account for the amount of electricity disbursed. The revenue they receive from customers cannot cover the cost of electricity provided. Electricity theft also destroys electrical infrastructure, thereby creating a burden for utility providers to fix.
An illegal connection could create power disruptions to individuals within the vicinity where the activity is conducted at the customer end. Power disruptions can lead to the burn-out of electrical installations, electrical shocks (as is the case of the Crosby couples) and unbalanced voltage.
Governments and regulatory bodies should not condone electricity theft practices, and cases of illegal connections should be reported to protect individuals’ lives and well-being.