Electricity theft: communities urged to join the fight
Power utility, Eskom urges the communities to play an active role in the fight against electricity theft.
Speaking during an electricity theft initiative “Operation Khanyisa Customer Compliance Audits” at Ga Kgapane last Thursday, Eskom Mopani Zone Customer Relations Manager, Thomas Ceko said members of the community can play a crucial role by ensuring that they are legal, safe and efficient power users, and by reporting electricity thieves.
Ceko said electricity theft is a serious crime and poses a major threat to South Africa’s power supply and the country’s economy.
“It contributes to constant power outages and load shedding and can also lead to businesses closing down and jobs being lost,” said Ceko.
He said in a bid to promote the legal, safe and efficient use of electricity, Eskom is rolling out a national campaign in partnership with with Proudly SA, Crime Line, Business Unity South Africa, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and several other partners, with the support of the South African Government.
He said Operation Khanyisa encourages more South Africans in all spheres of society to report the perpetrators of electricity theft who not only rob the country of billions of Rands every year, but also cause the loss of lives.
He further urged members of the public to report electricity theft anonymously to Crime Line by sending a detailed SMS to 32211 (R1/SMS).
“By helping to prevent electricity theft, those who take a stand against this crime play a crucial role in growing South Africa’s economy, creating jobs and ensuring a brighter future for all,” he said.
He warned that those who are tampering with electricity meter box could get a fine of up to R6 000. Their electricity will also be disconnected and will have to pay a reconnection fee.
He added that as part of Operation Kganyisa, Eskom has employed young people as agents. They visits households educating the community about the safe use of electricity and warning them about the consequences of electricity theft.
Operation Khanyisa project manager, Madelline Kadzinga said forms of electricity theft include: Illegal connections, illegal electrification schemes, meter tampering and bypassing, the buying and selling of illegal prepaid vouchers.
More information about Operation Khanyisa is available at www.operationkhanyisa.co.za, www.powernews.co.za and the Operation Khanyisa Facebook page at Ops Khanyisa.
