We at MyNMB have been tracking the reported water leak repairs and electricity disconnection blitz operations for six months now.
The last Municipal Electricity Disconnection blitz elicited lots of chatter on social media – predictably it was an ‘us’ and ‘them’ chatter with residents in the poorer areas delighting in how the municipality has made defaulters from upmarket suburbs ‘internet famous’.
That chatter was enabled by media who went on a drive along with the Municipality as they disconnected premises.
See below for a video of the last disconnection blitz and you will see the address of the premises and how the media are allowed to film inside these premises.
According to Schoeman Law Inc; “Filming on private property without the owner’s consent can lead to civil claims for trespass. Trespassing occurs when a person enters or remains on the property without permission, regardless of whether harm is caused. Always seek written permission from property owners or management before filming.”
DISCLAIMER: We bring the below video to your attention as an example of media skating on thin ice:
Of course one assumes that these owners will not sue as they are already struggling to pay their electricity bills and that such an action is expensive….
Below are the Top 10 suburbs for water leak repairs and electricity disconnections over the last 6 months:
Water Leak repairs – Top 10 Suburbs
- Motherwell – 39
- Kwadesi – 31
- Walmer – 27
- Govan Mbeki – 22
- Central – 21
- Newton Park – 19
- Kwamagxaki – 18
- Westering – 18
- Linton Grange – 17
- Lorraine – 15
Electricity Disconnection Blitzes – Top 10 Suburbs
- Central – 13
- North End – 12
- Korsten – 11
- Summerstrand – 11
- Lorraine – 10
- Sydenham – 10
- Newton Park – 8
- Sidwell – 8
- Humewood – 7
- Fairview – 6
There are THREE suburbs that appear on both Top 10 Lists:
- Central
- Lorraine
- Newton Park
