Eskom urges South Africans to avoid illegal electricity connections
The power utility, which has been able to keep the lights on for more than eight months, says its systems continue to face network overloading issues in certain areas due to illegal connections.
FILE: Illegal electricity connection. Picture: Christa Eybers/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Eskom is urging South Africans to avoid illegal electricity connections.
The power utility, which has been able to keep the lights on for more than eight months, said that its systems continued to face network overloading issues in certain areas due to illegal connections.
Eskom said that vandalism, meter tampering, unauthorised network operations, theft of network equipment, and purchasing electricity from unlicensed vendors also harmed their systems.
Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said these acts caused pressure and could lead to power outages.
"To prevent public safety hazards and the risk of network overloading, which can lead to load reduction measures and extended unplanned power outages, Eskom strongly urges customers to avoid illegal connections. Such actions can negatively impact the entire local community and result in hefty remedial fines. It is also essential for customers to purchase electricity only from authorised vendors."
Eskom urges the public to help protect the integrity of the power network by reporting any illegal activities to the Eskom crime line.