Illegal Connections and Ghost Vending Costly for Eskom

• South Africa loses about R20 billion a year due to electricity theft in the form of illegal connections, non-payment of accounts, meter tampering, meter bypassing and ghost vending.

In a concerted effort to achieve operational efficiency, and sustainability, Eskom continues to implement revenue recovery initiatives. These include the removal of illegal connections, conducting meter audits, repairing faulty or tampered meters and, of critical importance, curbing the illegal selling of prepaid electricity vouchers, or ghost vending as it is commonly known.

While more still needs to be done, notable strides are being made. Late last year, a joint operation between the Hawks, Eskom and the Asset Forfeiture Unit, resulted in the confiscation of two illegal pre-paid credit dispensing units (CDUs) from a residential estate in Pretoria.

“The investigation on the matter is ongoing and we anticipate making a further breakthrough and successful criminal prosecutions,” said Advocate Karen Pillay, Acting General Manager for Eskom’s Security Division.

“Eskom would like to remind consumers that buying illegal electricity vouchers is a crime and a punishable offence. Those found using illegal prepaid electricity vouchers could face disconnection, fines and even legal prosecution,” added Pillay.

South Africa loses about R20 billion a year due to electricity theft in the form of illegal connections, non-payment of accounts, meter tampering, meter bypassing and ghost vending.

Eskom thanks all South Africans who have reported electricity theft and encourages all community members to report electricity and infrastructure theft anonymously to Crime Line on 32211 (R1/ SMS) or call 0800 11 2722.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal

Source: Eskom Media Desk