In a significant development in efforts to curb electricity theft in the West Rand, authorities have arrested an Eskom employee in connection with offences involving three Randfontein farmers, reports the Randfontein Herald.

The four suspects are scheduled to appear in the Randfontein Magistrate’s Court on today, where formal charges are expected to be read.

Earlier reports by the Randfontein Herald indicated that operations targeting illegal electricity connections and meter tampering on farms in Randfontein resulted in multiple arrests. Investigations allegedly uncovered evidence of power theft from the national grid.

According to Ronel Kotze, the communications and stakeholder relations practitioner for Eskom’s Gauteng cluster, the first farmer was arrested for allegedly reconnecting electricity illegally after being disconnected for non-payment of an outstanding account of approximately R1.1m.

The arrest also relates to alleged meter tampering and bypassing of Eskom infrastructure.

Kotze said the second farmer was arrested after an unauthorised 100kVA transformer was discovered on the property.

“Eskom records indicate the farm is only approved for a 25kVA transformer, making this a serious breach of safety and regulatory standards,” she said.

A third farmer reportedly handed himself over to police.

An official statement regarding this arrest had not yet been released at the time of publication.

In a further development, an Eskom employee was also arrested and is expected to appear alongside the farmers.

Details of the charges against the employee are expected to be clarified in court. This was confirmed in a media statement issued by Eskom Gauteng spokesperson Amanda Qithi.

Electricity theft, illegal reconnections and tampering with utility infrastructure are criminal offences punishable under the Electricity Regulation Act 4 of 2006 and related legislation.

Eskom has urged members of the public to report illegal connections and meter bypasses via its crime line, warning that both private individuals and utility employees face severe penalties if found complicit.

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