From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.
Sashnee Moodley:
With electricity theft resulting in about R15.9-billion loss to the country’s municipal accounts every year, Eskom anti-theft campaign Operation Khanyisa is increasing its reach. Megan van Wyngaardt was onsite when illegal connections were cut in the Chaneng village, in the North West.
Megan van Wyngaardt:
Operation Khanyisa has identified the North West province, along with Mpumalanga, Free State, Limpopo, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal as the provinces with the highest levels of electricity theft.
In the North West, electricity theft amounted to 7.41% in 2015/16, down from 9.05% in 2013/14. Operation Khanyisa marketing project manager Madelline Kadzinga tells us more.
Operation Khanyisa marketing project manager Madelline Kadzinga:
Megan van Wyngaardt:
Through Operation Khanyisa, theft-related losses have reduced from 7.12% in 2013 to 6.43% in 2016, translating to R1.4-billion a year in electricity that would have generated a loss.
Operation Khanyisa marketing project manager Madelline Kadzinga:
Megan van Wyngaardt:
Kadzinga adds that Operation Khanyisa did not just cut illegal electricity connections, but also set out to save lives and educate offenders.
Operation Khanyisa marketing project manager Madelline Kadzinga:
Sashnee Moodley:
Other news making headlins this week:
Transnet to terminate Trillian relationship, seeks Futuregrowth apology
State-owned logistics group Transnet will be terminating its relationship with both Trillian Capital and Regiments Capital in light of the current fallout surrounding the two companies.
Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama
Sashnee Moodley:
That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.