While more still needs to be done, notable strides are being made. Late last year, a joint operation between the Hawks, Eskom and the Asset Forfeiture Unit, resulted in the confiscation of two illegal pre-paid credit dispensing units (CDUs) from a residential estate in Pretoria.
“The investigation on the matter is ongoing and we anticipate making a further breakthrough and successful criminal prosecutions,” said Advocate Karen Pillay, Acting General Manager for Eskom’s Security Division.
“Eskom would like to remind consumers that buying illegal electricity vouchers is a crime and a punishable offence. Those found using illegal prepaid electricity vouchers could face disconnection, fines and even legal prosecution,” added Pillay.
South Africa loses about R20 billion a year due to electricity theft in the form of illegal connections, non-payment of accounts, meter tampering, meter bypassing and ghost vending. The pain of Power theft is known to all Discoms in the world and it’s a criminal activity that pushes utility to bankruptcy.many countries have identified Power That a criminal activity inviting both punishment and imprisonment[courtesy: ESI Africa Journal]
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