Trouble for 2 Million Prepaid Electricity Users in South Africa: Eskom Cracks Down on Illegal Consumption

Nearly two million prepaid electricity users in South Africa are under scrutiny for suspected illegal consumption through tampered or bypassed connections. Eskom has warned that these non-compliant users are not going unnoticed and are contributing to a major financial strain on the power utility.

In a recent parliamentary Q&A session, Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa highlighted the severity of the issue, describing it as critical to Eskom’s operational sustainability. Eskom’s attempts to address this growing problem include a grace period for users to regularize their accounts without penalty, which ended on December 14, 2024.

While approximately 400,000 individuals came forward to disclose and rectify their illegal connections, millions remain unaccounted for, prompting Eskom to ramp up its audits of electricity meters and installations.

Eskom Takes a Firm Stand Against Illegal Power Use

The grace period served as a last chance for non-paying users to come clean without facing consequences. Eskom’s spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, confirmed that fines typically range between R6,000 to R12,000, with 100,000 customers already fined in the first phase of audits. So far, Eskom has collected between R90 million and R180 million in fines out of an estimated R600 million to R1.2 billion owed by these illegal consumers.

While Eskom’s efforts have made an impact, the battle is far from over. The utility has intensified its investigations and warned that those found with tampered meters or illegal connections could face both substantial fines and criminal charges for repeat offenses.

City Power Joins the Fight Against Meter Tampering

The issue of illegal electricity consumption extends beyond Eskom. City Power, which serves Johannesburg, recently disconnected 120 homes in Kliptown Square after uncovering tampered prepaid meters. The utility has imposed fines exceeding R14,000 on offenders and has launched a normalisation programme to ensure meters comply with the Token Identifier (TID) rollover. This process updates the meters’ software, preventing future illegal connections.

Isaac Mangena, City Power’s spokesperson, reiterated the utility’s commitment to enforcing compliance. “We have decided to take a strong stance against those who have bypassed our meters, especially the newly installed ones as part of the normalisation programme,” he stated. City Power’s actions reflect a broader effort across the country to deter electricity theft.

A Critical Issue for South Africa’s Economy

Eskom’s battle with illegal electricity consumption is not only a challenge for the power utility but also a significant concern for South Africa’s economy. The stolen revenue impacts Eskom’s ability to maintain and expand its infrastructure, ultimately affecting the country’s overall economic stability.

Both Eskom and City Power are sending a strong message: illegal electricity consumption will not be tolerated. With fines and intensified audits becoming more common, the utilities are working tirelessly to root out the offenders and ensure the future sustainability of South Africa’s electricity supply.

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