29 April 2020, Sandton. Cases of illegal electricity connections and cable theft have seen a spike since the beginning of the national lockdown. With most of us being at home and children not in school; this is a cause for concern because it is not only illegal, but also highly dangerous.
“The lockdown has forced South Africans to stay at home, meaning that we have more time on our hands. Unfortunately this seems to also be true for those making illegal connections and engaging in cable theft.
“Even though this increase is something we see every year towards and during winter, it is worse this year– possibly related to the national lockdown” says Eskom’s Miranda Moahlodi, Senior Manager (Occupational Health and Safety).Illegal connections and cable theft can kill. They disrupt electricity supply and further inconvenience entire communities. Recently suburbs in the south of Joburg were left without power when a man was electrocuted while trying to climb an electricity tower. A child, 12-years-old; from Durban was electrocuted at Umbilo River due to illegal electricity connections. Another, a 53-year-old man from Coniston, also died after he was electrocuted while allegedly connecting electricity illegally. Not only are those that connect electricity illegally putting themselves in danger – our communities are forced to endure more hardships during this lockdown and our children are being killed.
“This cannot be. It’s plain criminality. Let’s learn from these incidences, be on the lookout and report illegal connections and cable theft. Electricity can be dangerous and must be treated with care,” Moahlodi concludes.
To report cable theft and/or illegal connections, please contact Eskom at 0860 037566 or contact the local police. Eskom is committed to ensuring public safety when using electricity in and around the home, in communities, schools and the workplace. It continuously runs public safety programmes to educate people about the proper use of electricity as well as the dangers of illegal connections, vandalising equipment, meter tampering and cable theft.
