Eskom Transformer
By Thabo Mosia
A 37-year-old suspect is set to appear in the Rietgat Magistrates’ Court this week after being arrested in Winterveldt, Pretoria, in possession of an Eskom transformer. His arrest was part of a large-scale operation targeting illegal electricity connections, led by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) in collaboration with Eskom investigators and technicians.
During the operation, authorities seized 28 stolen Eskom transformers with an estimated value of R1.7 million. The illegal electricity connections linked to these stolen transformers are believed to have cost Eskom approximately R90 million in revenue losses.
Multi-Agency Crackdown on Infrastructure Theft
South Africa has been grappling with widespread electricity theft, vandalism, and sabotage of essential infrastructure, which have exacerbated the country’s ongoing power crisis. This latest operation was part of a continued effort to secure Eskom assets and crack down on syndicates involved in infrastructure-related crimes.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk confirmed that the arrest followed intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling illegal electricity connections in Winterveldt and surrounding areas.
“A multi-disciplinary team, comprising SAPS [South African Police Service] members from various specialised units, Eskom investigators, and technicians, acted on intelligence regarding illegal electricity connections in the area. Upon reaching the identified location, officers found the suspect in possession of an Eskom transformer and other electrical equipment, leading to his immediate arrest,” said Van Wyk.Following his arrest, police and Eskom officials conducted a broader sweep of the area, where they uncovered 27 more illegally connected Eskom transformers. The illegal connections were supplying electricity to various properties, businesses, and informal settlements, bypassing Eskom’s prepaid electricity system.
Revenue Losses and Impact on Power Supply
According to Eskom, illegal electricity connections and infrastructure theft are among the leading causes of power disruptions and load shedding in various parts of the country. Preliminary estimates suggest that these illegal connections in Winterveldt alone have cost Eskom nearly R90 million in lost revenue.
This is not an isolated incident. In a related operation conducted in Diepsloot and Erasmia earlier this month, 13 more illegally connected transformers were seized, with the total revenue loss in that case estimated at R19 million.
Eskom has previously warned that infrastructure theft not only affects legitimate paying customers but also leads to dangerous electrical hazards, as illegal connections often lack proper grounding and safety measures. This increases the risk of electrical fires and electrocutions, putting entire communities at risk.
NATJOINTS and Eskom’s Fight Against Infrastructure Crime
The NATJOINTS Energy Safety and Security Workstream has been actively working to combat electricity theft, illegal connections, and vandalism targeting Eskom’s infrastructure.
Van Wyk highlighted that since its establishment in 2022, NATJOINTS has played a pivotal role in securing Eskom’s critical infrastructure and reducing criminal activities that impact the power utility.
“Through intelligence-driven operations and community tip-offs, NATJOINTS and Eskom investigators have successfully dismantled illegal networks that profit from stolen Eskom equipment,” she said.Eskom’s Stance on Illegal Connections
Eskom has welcomed the recent arrests and renewed its call for the public to report illegal electricity activities. The power utility has previously warned that infrastructure crimes will not be tolerated and that they will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to justice.
Illegal connections have been a major contributor to Eskom’s financial difficulties, with billions of rands lost annually due to theft, tampering, and non-payment. In addition to financial losses, overloaded electricity networks caused by illegal connections frequently result in transformer failures, which increase power outages and further strain Eskom’s already struggling system.
“The theft and illegal connections of electricity not only impact Eskom’s ability to provide power but also contribute to the national load shedding crisis,” said an Eskom spokesperson.Charges and Legal Consequences for the Suspect
The 37-year-old suspect is expected to face charges of theft and tampering with essential infrastructure, both of which carry serious penalties under South African law.
According to South Africa’s Criminal Matters Amendment Act, tampering with or damaging essential infrastructure such as electricity transformers, power lines, or substations is classified as a serious crime. Offenders convicted of such crimes can face up to 30 years in prison.
Law enforcement authorities have also not ruled out the possibility of further arrests, as investigations into other suspected members of the illegal electricity syndicate remain ongoing.
Authorities Urge Public to Report Infrastructure Crimes
Both Eskom and SAPS have urged members of the public to assist in the fight against infrastructure theft by reporting any suspicious activities.
Citizens can report cases of illegal electricity connections, cable theft, or transformer tampering by contacting:
• SAPS Crime Stop: 08600 10111
• Eskom Customer Contact Centre: 08600 ESKOM (37566)
• MySAPS Mobile App: Anonymous tip-offs can be submitted through the app.
Authorities have assured that all reports will be treated with confidentiality and that whistleblowers will not be identified.
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