Maria David
OSHAKATI Premier Electric (OPE) Chief Executive Officer Nelson Sheya is urging the public to be both responsible and vigilant when it comes to electricity.
Sheya made these remarks during a stakeholder engagement held at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre, where he emphasised the critical importance of public cooperation.
According to Sheya, electricity can be dangerous, and they need their customers to be responsible and vigilant at all times.
“Whether it’s ensuring your electrical work is done by a licensed professional or reporting suspicious activities, every action helps guarantee safety for the entire community,” he said.
Sheya highlighted that meter tampering, which involves modifying a metering circuit to bypass the meter and reduce power consumption, is a serious concern.
To prevent this, he said they have secured all meters with recorded seals and also monitor customer consumption to identify abnormal usage patterns.
He indicated that a new pilot Smart Metering Project is currently being implemented to better monitor consumption and allow for statistical analysis.
For all electrical work, Sheya said that a licensed electrician is required to wire premises according to the SABS standard.
“Customers are obligated to arrange for inspections by OPE and obtain a Certificate of Compliance,” he added.
He said that they also advised that if there is any doubt, the public should obtain the services of an OPE-registered electrician to handle problems, new installations, or general electrical compliance.
Sheya reminded the public that it is unlawful to interfere with electrical metering or to remove metering seals.
Additionally, he said temporary connections over erf boundaries must be approved by OPE.
“OPE cautions against ever installing or tampering with a temporary or unauthorised electrical connection, which can cause intercom issues for a neighbourhood,” he said.
He explained that when digging in a yard, people should be cautious to avoid damaging cables, especially near boundary walls.
Sheya emphasised that indoor electrical appliances should never be used outdoors or in wet environments, and any open or broken electrical outlets or cabling should be attended to immediately to avoid electrical shock.
He also indicated that copper theft remains a significant problem, saying it is illegal, dangerous, and a leading cause of power interruptions.
Sheya urged the public to report all copper theft and suspicious activities to their offices.
Concerned citizens can contact (065) 220 239 or the toll-free number 77790.
