When self organised connections are made carefully and collaboratively they prevent fires by providing a safe alternative to candles and paraffin stoves. When they are made haphazardly they can be dangerous. When the state tries to smash organisation, or when it disconnects every day, forcing people to reconnect every day, it itself undermines the prospects for safe self-organised connections.

http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2011/07/05/fiery-protests-at-disconnections

Fiery protests at disconnections

05 Jul 2011 | Khulekani Mazibuko |

ANGRY Kennedy Road informal settlement residents yesterday barricaded roads with rubbish and burning tyres following the decision of the eThekwini municipality to disconnect illegal electricity connections

In justifying the illegal connections, residents accused the municipality of failing to provide electricity to every household.

Police had to be called to escort municipal employees who were cutting illegal connections. Police opened fire with rubber bullets but no arrests were made.

Resident Sindi Maluleka, who suffers from asthma, said residents were willing to pay for electricity but blamed the municipality for stalling the installation process.

“We will not allow them (employees) to cut off our electricity because our lives depend on it. If they cut the cables we will be forced to find alternative means of restoring electricity in our homes,” Maluleka said.

While she could not cope without electricity, Maluleka said illegal connections often led to fires in the settlement.

Abahlali Basemjondolo spokesperson Mnikelo Ndabankulu said of the 2000 households in the area, only 200 were legally connected. He said the organisation supported the residents’ action. Ndabankulu appealed to the municipality to end the disconnections.

eThekwini municipality spokesperson Thabo Mofokeng said authorities would continue to disconnect all illegal connections. He said legally connected residents had complained of power outrages, which he blamed on illegal connections.

“The municipality disconnection initiative aims to end all illegal connections of electricity in areas under the municipality,” he said.