Photo by: Duane Daws
State-owned power utility Eskom will extend a new programme to counter the sharp increase in electricity theft, which costs it R4.1-billion a year in revenue, to all provinces following the success of a pilot programme in Limpopo.
Eskom senior manager for energy trading and sales forecasting Maboe Maphaka revealed on Monday that the utility had, during the pilot, tested a new way of investigating electricity theft as part of the bigger national Operation Khanyisa campaign.
The new programme incorporates technical meter auditing, supported by an on-site investigations team, criminal investigation and prosecution.
Eskom’s various operating units would now roll out the programme across all nine provinces after having achieved revenue savings of R1.4-million and removing over 940 669 “ghost” units from prepaid meters in Limpopo during the past year.
Fines to the tune of R3.7-million were also issued, with more than half – over R1.8-million – already paid to Eskom. The balance would be paid through payment arrangements made with the customers.
Further, the programme had disconnected 815 households and 200 businesses. Over 20 ghost vending-related arrests were made, while 15 people were arrested for illegal connections and meter tampering.
“While illegal connections and meter tampering are still the leading forms of electricity theft, the buying and selling of illegal prepaid electricity vouchers has sharply increased and is taking root in many parts of the country,” said Maphaka.