Power utility calls for continued community vigilance despite decline in criminal activity
Eskom has praised the South African Police Service (SAPS) for a successful intelligence-driven operation that resulted in the arrest of six suspects found in possession of stolen Eskom property worth an estimated R1.5 million.
The power utility reported a noticeable decline in criminal activity targeting its infrastructure—such as mini-substations and transformers—compared to the previous year. However, Eskom emphasized that the threat remains and continued vigilance is essential.
Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena highlighted the critical role of community involvement in protecting vital infrastructure.
“We urge communities to play an active role in safeguarding the infrastructure that powers their homes and businesses,” said Mokwena. “Vandalism causes unplanned outages that can leave households and businesses in the dark for extended periods. Tampering with electrical equipment also carries serious, potentially fatal risks.”
She credited the reduction in infrastructure-related crimes to improved security measures and strengthened partnerships with law enforcement, but stressed that the issue remains a major concern.
“Although we’ve seen progress, the ongoing theft and vandalism of our infrastructure is unacceptable. We must continue working together to protect these essential assets,” Mokwena added.
Eskom has reiterated its commitment to working closely with law enforcement agencies and communities to combat infrastructure-related crime and ensure reliable power delivery across the country.