111Unlawful diversion of electricity

111 Unlawful diversion of electricity

(1)  A person must not, without proper authority, take or divert electricity.

Penalty:  For a body corporate a fine not exceeding 1 000 penalty units and for a natural person a fine not exceeding 500 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year, or both.

(2)  In proceedings for an offence against subsection (1) –

(a) evidence of the finding of a device that would have enabled the unlawful taking or diversion of electricity by the defendant; or

(b) evidence of tampering by the defendant or someone acting with the defendant's authority with a meter for recording consumption of electricity supplied to the defendant's premises –

establishes, in the absence of proof to the contrary, the unlawful taking or diversion of electricity by the defendant.

(3)  A person must not run a line capable of carrying an electricity supply beyond the boundaries of property occupied by the person unless –

(a) the person is an electricity entity; or

(b) the electricity supply line is authorised under the regulations.

Penalty:  For a body corporate a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units and for a natural person a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.