DURBAN - KWADUKUZA Municipality is losing close to R20 million per month due to the theft of its electricity.
Mayor Lindile Nhaca revealed this as she called on all stakeholders to work together in intensifying the fight against electricity theft and illegal dumping.
These two matters are among the pressing issues faced by municipalities across the province. Energy losses are contributing to the debt book of municipalities, which poses a risk to their financial stability.
She said due to electricity theft and related activities, the municipality experienced losses of an average R20m per month.
She said KwaDukuza Municipality purchases energy at an average of 55 gigawatt hours (GWh), which costs on average R70m per month.
It then sells an average of 44GWh at a cost of R80m per month. This means that energy losses are averaged at 11GWh, costing an average of R20m per month.
Speaking on the issue of illegal dumping, she said: “Working with various stakeholders, we will be launching the Programme for Change, which seeks to intensify action against illegal dumping. This will be a multi-pronged strategy underpinned by five key pillars to drive a change agenda.
“It is the responsibility for each and every one of us to work side by side to ensure that we tidy our towns and pay for services.”
She was addressing scores of residents during the IDP & Budget consultative meeting at the KwaDukuza Town Hall.
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