Eskom says theft and vandalism of its infrastructure costs SA over R47bn annually
The power utility’s statement comes after a cable thief, Witness Sibanda, was found guilty of damaging and stealing essential infrastructure by the Emerlo Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga in July.
Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey-Makhaza/Eyewitness News.
CAPE TOWN - Eskom condemns the theft and vandalism of its electricity infrastructure, saying it costs the country over R47 billion annually.
This comes after a cable thief, Witness Sibanda, was found guilty of damaging and stealing essential infrastructure by the Emerlo Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga in July.
Sibanda was also found to have contravened the country's Immigration Act and was subsequently sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment.
This comes after his arrest in February at Camden Power Station in Mpumalanga while cutting and removing critical infrastructure cables inside the station.
Eskom estimates the damage to be worth roughly R100,000.
The power utility has appealed to the public to report anyone involved in cable theft and illegal sale of electricity to authorities.