While Eskom has noted a decline in theft and vandalism of its infrastructure compared to last year, the power utility says the situation remains alarming and continues to endanger both the national electricity supply and public safety.
From 1 April 2024 to end-February 2025, incidents of vandalism and theft have cost Eskom an estimated R221 million, down from R271 million during the same period in the previous year. Despite this drop, the number of incidents affecting mini-substations, transformers, high-voltage pylons, and other electrical components remains high.
Eskom praised the South African Police Service (SAPS) for a recent intelligence-led operation that resulted in the arrest of six suspects in possession of Eskom property valued at R1.5 million. The suspects appeared in the Ngwelezane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 7 April 2025.
According to Monde Bala, Eskom’s Group Executive for Distribution, the impact of vandalism goes beyond financial loss, frequently resulting in unplanned and prolonged power outages affecting homes, schools, businesses, mines, and health facilities.
“Reliable electricity is essential for daily life—preserving food, heating, lighting, and enabling children to study after dark. Protecting this infrastructure is a shared responsibility,” said Bala.
Bala also warned that tampering with electrical equipment is extremely dangerous, noting that drained transformers and illegally connected systems can overheat and explode, while stolen steel pylon components compromise the structural integrity of power towers, risking deadly collapses—especially after heavy rainfall.
Among the recent worrying trends are:
- The siphoning of oil from transformers
- Illegal sand mining around pylons
- The throwing of metal chains and wires onto power lines, causing flashovers and dangerous supply disruptions
Eskom has also highlighted the rising number of injuries and fatalities related to electrical infrastructure tampering, stressing that these incidents are preventable.
“We cannot continue to lose members of our communities to these preventable incidents. Everyone must remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and reject the notion that vandalism is an acceptable means of survival,” Bala said.
