From Summerstrand to Jail? NMB’s Shock Tactics to Recover Billions

Nelson Mandela Bay Targets Electricity Theft in Affluent Suburbs

The Nelson Mandela Bay MMC for Electricity has intensified operations against high-value electricity defaulters, uncovering sophisticated theft in upscale areas like Summerstrand and Humewood.

"These aren’t informal settlements—these are businesses stealing to boost profits," MMC Kanyang said. One property owner alone owed over R500,000 across multiple properties.

Affluent Areas, Criminal Tactics

Investigators found guesthouses bypassing meters entirely, using illegal isolators to siphon electricity. Officials revealed:

• Some tenants released dogs to deter raids
• Cupboards were locked to hide meter boxes
• Barriers were dismantled to access tampered connections

"No key? No problem," said one officer, describing how officials bypassed obstacles to uncover theft.

READ: Municipalities in Crisis: The R126 Fixed Charge Debate and South Africa's Electricity Dilemma

Budget on the Brink

With arrears threatening municipal service delivery, the MMC warned:

"Every illegal connection starves clinics and roads of funding."

The metro is now deploying smart technology to trace tampering, linking illicit activity directly to billing disputes.

What’s Next?

The municipality plans to crack down further using multiple strategies:

• Prosecutions: Criminal charges for theft of services
• Naming & Shaming: Public listing of top defaulters
• Asset Seizures: Properties may face liens until debts are cleared

READ: NERSA Error Forces Steeper Electricity Price Hikes for South Africans in 2026 and 2027

This approach reflects a zero-tolerance policy toward electricity theft, particularly in high-income areas that evade traditional billing enforcement.