Eskom cuts power to R1.1 million debtor following illegal reconnection

A farm owner in Randfontein has been arrested for illegally reconnecting his electricity.

Eskom is currently conducting a disconnection operation across various farming areas in Randfontein. The property in question owes the power utility R1.1 million.

A strawberry farm, which also produces cannabis, has reportedly been operating on the site since the late 2000s.

Gauteng Eskom spokesperson, Amanda Qithi, stated that they first disconnected the property last September.

"After we had disconnected him and removed him from our infrastructure, he then went and reconnected himself, so he has been consuming electricity for free, then went to get people to reconnect him," Qithi explained.

The property will remain without power until the debt is cleared.