Lenasia businessman nabbed for theft and illegal connection of a 11KV mini-substation

Lerato Mbhiza 

The unnamed Lenasia businessman was taken into custody during a City Power cut-off operation and is facing charges of theft and tampering with electricity infrastructure after he was found with a substation that had disappeared from the system 10 years ago.

The substation was illegally connected to the network via a kilometre-long electricity cable also suspected to have been stolen from the power utility.

The substation was repossessed and transported b to City Power headquarters.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the 11KV mini substation disappeared from City Power’s premises in Booysens in 2014.

“The utility’s records show that at the time, four mini substations were procured. However, one disappeared without a trace.

“The local energy supplier team found the missing mini substation at the businessman’s premises after a request by a new business nearby to be connected to the grid through the same equipment.

“The cost of