Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
South Africa
South Africa
Electricity By-Law, 2025
- Published in Provincial Gazette 5362 on 17 February 2025
- Commenced on 17 February 2025
- [This is the version of this document from 17 February 2025.]
Chapter 1
General
1. Definitions
In this by laws unless inconsistent with the context:“accredited person” means a person registered in terms of the Regulations as an electrical tester for single phase, an installation electrician or a mater installation electrician as the case may be;“certificate of compliance” means a certificate issued in terms of the Regulations in respect of an electrical installation or part of an electrical installation by an accredited person.“consumer” in relation to premises means:(a)Any occupier thereof or any other person with whom the municipality has contracted to supply or is actually supplying electricity thereat; or(b)If such premises are not occupied, any person who has a valid existing agreement with the municipality for the supply of electricity to such premises; or(c)If there is no such person or occupier, the owner of the premises;“credit meter” means a meter where an account is issued subsequent to the consumption of electricity.“electrical contractor” means an electrical contractor as defined in the Regulations“electrical installation” means an electrical installation as defined in the Regulations.“high voltage” means a set of nominal voltage levels that are used in power systems of Bulk transmission of electricity in the range of 44kV<22kV (SABS 1019)“low voltage” means a set of nominal voltage levels that are used for the distribution of electricity and whose upper limit is generally accepted to be an a.c. voltage of 1000V (or a DC voltage of 1500V. (SABS 1019)“the law” means any applicable laws, proclamation, ordinance, act of parliament or Enactment having force of law.“medium voltage” means the set of nominal voltage levels that lie above low voltage And below high voltage in the range of lkV<44kV (SABS 1019)“meter” means a device which records the demand and /or the electrical energy Consumed and includes conventional and prepayment meters.“Motor load, total connected” means a sum total of the kW input ratings of all the individual motors connected to an installation.“municipality” means Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality, a municipality established in terms of the laws or legal entity duly authorized by the municipality to provide an electricity service within the jurisdiction of Winnie Madikizela Mandela local municipality.“occupier” in relation to any premises means—(a)Any person in actual occupation of such premises(b)Any person legally entitled to occupy such premises(c)In the case of such premises being subdivided and let to lodgers or various tenants, the person receiving the rent payable by such lodgers or tenants, whether on his own account or as agent of any person entitled thereto or interested therein; or(d)Any person in control of such premises or responsible for the management thereof, and included the agent of any such person when he/she is absent from the republic of South Africa or his/her whereabouts are unknown.“’owner” in relation to premises means the person in whom is vested the legal title thereto; provided that—(a)In the case of immovable property—(i)Leased for a period of not less that 50(fifty) years, whether the lease is registered or not, the lessee thereof, or(ii)Beneficially occupied under the servitude or right analogous thereto, the occupier thereof;(b)If the owner as hereinbefore defined—(i)Is deceased or insolvent, has assigned his estate for the benefit of his creditors, has been placed under curatorship by order of court or is a company being wound up or under judicial management, the person in whom the administration of such property is vested as executor, administrator trustee, assignee, curator, liquidator or judicial manager, as the case may be, or(ii)Is absent from the Republic of South Africa, or if his address is unknown to the municipality, any person who as agent or otherwise receives or is entitled to receive the rent in respect of such property, and(iii)If the municipality is unable to determine who such person is, the person who is entitled to the beneficial use of such property,Shall be deemed to be the owner thereof to the exclusion of the person in whom is vested the legal title thereto;“point of consumption” means a point of consumption as defined in the Regulations;“point of metering” means the point at which the consumer’s consumption of electricity is metered and which may be at the point of supply or at any other point on the distribution system of the municipality or the electrical installation of the consumer, as specified by the municipality or any duly authorized official of the municipality: Provided that it shall meter all of, and only, the consumer’s consumption of electricity;“point of supply” means the point determined by the municipality or any duly authorized official of the municipality at which electricity is supplied to any premises by the municipality.“premises” means any land or any building or structure above or below ground level and includes any vehicle, aircraft of vessel;“prepayment meter” means a meter that can be programmed to allow the flow of pre-purchased amounts of energy in an electrical circuit.“regulations” means Regulations made in terms of Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993(Act No. 29 of 1993), as amended;“SANS Codes” means the South African National Standards Codes of Practice or the South African Bureau of Standards Codes of Practice as defined in Regulation No. 1373 published in Government Gazette 24002, dated 08 November 2002 in terms of the Standard Act, 1993 (Act No. 29 of 1993) or as may be published in the future in terms of that Act.“safety standard” means the Code of Practice for the Wiring of Premises SABS 0142 incorporated in the Regulations;“service connection” means all cables and equipment required to connect the supply mains to the electrical installation of the consumer at the point of supply;“service protective device” means any fuse or circuit breaker installed for the purpose of protecting the municipality’s equipment from overloads or faults occurring on the installation or on the internal service connection.“standby supply” means an alternative electricity supply not normally used by the consumer;“supply mains” means any part of the municipality’s electricity network;“tariffs” means the municipality’s tariff of charges for the supply of electricity, and“token” means the essential element of a payment metering system used to transfer information from a point of sale for electricity credit to a payment meter and vice versa;“voltage” means the root-mean-square value of electrical potential between conductors;2. Other items
All other terms used in this By-law shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the meaning assigned thereto in the Electricity Act, 1987 (Act No.41 of 1987), as amended, or the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No.85 of 1993), as amended;Chapter 2
General conditions of supply
3. Provision of electricity services
Only the municipality shall supply or contract for the supply of electricity within the jurisdiction of the municipality.4. Supply agreement
No person shall use or be entitled to use an electricity supply from the municipality unless or until such person shall have entered into an agreement in writing with the municipality for such supply, and such agreement together with the provisions of this By-law shall in all respects govern such supply. If a person uses an electricity supply without entering into an agreement he/she shall be liable for the cost of electricity used as stated in section 44 of this By-law.5. Service of notice
6. Compliance with notices
Any person on whom a notice duly issued or given under this By-law is served shall, within the time specified in such notice, comply with the terms.7. Application for supply
8. Processing of requests for supply
Applications for the supply of electricity will be processed and the supply made available within the period stipulated in NRS 047.9. Wayleaves
10. Statutory servitude
11. Right of admittance to inspect, test and/or do maintenance work
12. Refusal or failure to give information
No person shall refuse or fail to give information as may be required of him/her by any duly authorized official from the municipality or render any false information to ant=y such official regarding any electrical installation work completed or contemplated.13. Refusal of admittance
No person shall willfully hinder, obstruct, interfere with or refuse admittance to any duly authorized official of the municipality in the performance of his duty under this By-law or any duty connected therewith or relating thereto.14. Improper use
If the consumer uses the electricity for any purpose or deals with the electricity in any manner which the Municipality has reasonable grounds for believing interferes in an improper or unsafe manner or is calculated to interfere in an improper or unsafe manner with the efficient supply of electricity to any other consumer, the Municipality may, with or without notice, disconnect the electricity supply but such supply shall be restored as soon as the cause for the disconnection has been permanently remedied or removed.-The-fee as prescribed by the Municipality for the disconnection '-and reconnection shall be paid by the consumer-before the electricity supply is restored,-unless it can be shown that the consumer did not use or deal with the, electricity in an improper or unsafe in a manner.15. Electricy tariffs and fees
Copies of charges and fees may be obtained free of charge at the offices of the Municipality.16. Deposits
The Municipality reserves the right to require the consumer to deposit a sum of money as security in payment of any charges which are due or may become due to the Municipality. The amount of the deposit in respect of each electricity installation shall be determined by the Municipality, and each such deposit may be increased if the Municipality deems the deposit held to be inadequate. Such deposit shall not be regarded as being in payment or part payment of any accounts due for the supply of electricity for the pinpose of obtaining any discount provided for in the electricity tariff referred to in this By-law. On, cessation of the supply of electricity, the amount of such deposit, free of any interest, less any payments due to the Municipality shall be refunded to the consumer.17. Payment of charges
18. Interest on overdue accounts
The Municipality may charge interest on accounts which are not paid by the due date appearing on the account, at an interest rate as approved by the Municipality from time to time.19. Resale of electricity
20. Right to disconnect supply
21. Non-liability of Municipality
The Municipality shall not be liable for any loss or damage, direct or consequential suffered or sustained by a consumer as a result of, rising from the cessation, interruption or any other abnormality of the supply of electricity, unless caused by negligence on the part of the Municipality.22. Leakage of electricity
Under no circumstances shall any rebate be allowed on the account for electricity supplied and metered in respect of electricity wasted owing to leakage or any other fault in the electrical installation.23. Failure of supply
The Municipality does not undertake to attend to a failure of supply of electricity due to a fault in the electrical installation of the consumer, except When such failure is due to the operation of the service protective device of the Municipality. When any failure of supply of electricity is found to be due to a fault in the electrical installation of the consumer or to the faulty operation of apparatus used in connection therewith, the Municipality shall have the right to charge the consumer the fee as prescribed by the Municipality for each' restoration of the supply of electricity in addition to the cost of making good or repairing arty damages which may have been done to the service main and meter by such fault or faulty operation as aforesaid.24. Seals of the municipality
The meter, service protective devices and all apparatus belonging to the Municipality shall be sealed or locked by a duly authorized official of the Municipality, and non-person not being an official of the Municipality duly authorized thereto shall in any manner or for any reason whatsoever remove, break, deface, or tamper with such seals or locks.25. Tampering with service connection or supply mains
26. Protection of municipality's supply mains
27. Prevention of tampering with service connection or supply mains
If the Municipality decides that it is necessary or desirable to take special precautions in order to prevent tampering with any portion of the supply mains, service connection or service protective device or meter or metering equipment, the consumer shall either supply and install the necessary protection or pay the costs involved where such protection is supplied by the Municipality.28. Unauthorised connections
No person other than a person specifically authorized thereto by the Municipality in writing shall directly or indirectly connect, attempt to connect or cause or permit to be connected any electrical installation or part thereof to the supply mains or service connection,29. Unauthorised reconnections
30. Temporary disconnection and reconnection
31. Temporary supplies
It shall be a condition of the giving of any temporary Supply of electricity, as defined in this By-law, that, if such supply is found to interfere with the efficient and economical supply of electricity to other consumers, the Municipality shall have the right, with notice, or under exceptional circumstances without notice, to terminate such temporary supply at any time and, the Municipality shall not be liable for any loss or damage occasioned the consumer by such termination.32. Temporary work
Electrical installations requiring a temporary supply of electricity shall not be connected directly or indirectly to the supply mains except with the special permission in writing of the Municipality. Full information as to the reasons for and nature of such temporary work shall accompany the application for the aforesaid permission, and the Municipality may refuse such permission or may grant the same upon such terms and conditions as it may appear desirable and necessary.33. Load reduction
34. Medium and low voltage switch and equipment
35. Substation accommodation
36. Wiring diagram and specification
37. Standby supply
No person shall be entitled to a standby-supply of electricity from the Municipality for any premises having a separate source of electricity supply except with the written consent of the Municipality and subject to such terms and conditions as may be laid down by the Municipality.38. Consumer’s emergency standby supply equipment
39. Circular letters
The Municipality may from time to time issue circulars detailing the requirements of the Municipality regarding matters not specifically covered in the: Regulations or this By law but which; are necessary for the sale, efficient operation and management of the supply of electricity.Chapter 3
Service providers
40. Agreement assignment
41. Customer charter
Chapter 4
Responsibilities of consumers
42. Consumer to erect and mantain electrical installation
Any-electrical-installation connected or to be connected to the supply mains, and any additions or alterations thereto which may be made from time to tithe, shall be provided and erected and maintained and kept in good order by the Consumer at this own expense and in accordance with this Bylaw and the Regulations.43. Fault in electrical installation
44. Discontinuance of use of supply
In the event of a consumer desiring to discontinue using the electricity supply, he/she shall give at least 2 (two) full working days' notice in writing of such intended discontinuance to the Municipality, failing which he/she shall remain liable for all payments due in terms of the tariff for the supply of electricity until the expiration of 2 (two) fall working days after such notice has been given.45. Change of occupier
46. Service apparatus
Chapter 5
Specific conditions of supply
47. Service connection
48. Metering accommodation
Chapter 6
Systems of supply
49. Load requirements
50. Intereference with other persons’ electrical equipment
51. Supplies to motors
Unless otherwise approved by the Municipality or any duly authorized official of the Municipality the rating of motors shall be limited as follows:52. Power factor
53. Protection
Electrical protective devices for motors shall be of such a design as effectively to prevent sustained overcurrent and single phasing, where applicable.Chapter 7
Measurement of electricity
54. Metering
55. Accuracy of metering
56. Reading of credit meters
57. Prepayment metering
Chapter 8
Electrical contractors
58.
In addition to the requirements of the Regulations the following requirements shall apply:59.
The Municipality shall not be held responsible for the work done by the electrical contractor/ accredited person on a consumer's premises and shall not in any way be responsible for any loss or damage which may be occasioned by fire or by any accident arising from the state of the wiring on the premises.Chapter 9
Cost of work
60.
The Municipality may repair and make good any damage done in contravention of this By-law or resulting from a contravention of this By-law. The cost of any such work carried out by the Municipality which was necessary due to the contravention of this By-law, shall be to the account of the Person who acted in contravention of this By-law.Chapter 10
Administrative enforcement provisions
61. Appointment of authourised officials
Part II – Power of authorized officials
62. Right of admittance to inspect, test or do maintenance work
63. Refusal or failure to give information
64. Refusal of admitiance
No person shall willfully hinder, obstruct, interfere with or refuse admittance to any authorized official in the performance of his duty under these Bylaws or of any duty connected with or relating to these By-laws,Part III – Administrative penalties
65. Establishment of an administrative penalty system
66. Infringement notices
67. Trial
If a person who elects to be tried in court in terms of subsection 68(e)(ii) notifies the municipality of his election, the authorized official must within ten (10) calendar days take all necessary steps, as envisaged in the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977), in order to secure the attendance and prosecution of the accused, in which event the infringement notice must be cancelled.68. Withdrawal of infringement notice
69. Infringement notice not an admission
Payment of a penalty shall not be regarded as an admission for the purposes of any proceedings, whether civil or criminalChapter 11
Judicial enforcement provisions
70. Offences
Chapter 12
General
71. Service of documents and process
For the purposes of the service of any notice, order or other document relating to non-payment for the provision of electricity services, the address of the owner of the premises to which electricity services are provided is the place where service of documents and process shall be-made.72. Service of notices
73. Compliance with notices
Any person on whom a notice duly issued or given under this by-law is served shall, within the time specified in such notice, comply with its terms.Chapter 13
Repeal of By-laws
74. Repeal of By-laws
The By-laws specified in the first column of Schedule 1 are hereby repealed to the extent set out in the second column of Schedule 1: Provided that the repeal of such Bylaws shall not affect anything done in terms of or any right, obligation or liability acquired or incurred under those Bylaws.[Please note: The Schedules to this notice has been omitted from the Gazette.]75. Date of commencement
This by-law shall be called Electricity by-law and shall take effect from the date of proclamation in the Provincial Gazette.History of this document
17 February 2025 this version
Commenced