Eskom warns of escalating threats to employee safety in KwaZulu-Natal and Free State
Eskom has warned of threats to its employees in KwaZulu-Natal and in the Free State.
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Eskom says there are escalating threats to its employees from communities, coupled with increasing cases of vandalism, theft, and illegal connections that are putting lives at risk and threatening electricity supply in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.
The utility’s Central East Cluster which covers both provinces, said it is “deeply concerned about the increasing incidents where Eskom employees are threatened or harassed while undertaking their duties.”
“Such actions not only endanger lives but also undermine Eskom’s ability to provide reliable electricity to South Africans,” the utility said.
“Eskom will continue working closely with the authorities to ensure that our employees are protected, and that no individual or group who is allowed to hinder our service to the nation.”
The utility reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to the safety of its employees, the integrity of its network infrastructure, and the well-being of the general public,” stressing that all employees working on its networks are duly authorised to do so.
Eskom also issued a stern reminder to customers with unregistered or tampered connections, referred to as “Zero Buyers,” that auditing of meters and installations has been stepped up.
“We strongly encourage customers to resolve their issues and regularise their accounts to avoid severe penalties,” the utility said.
“Doing so is vital to Eskom’s operational and financial sustainability, which directly contributes to the stability of electricity supply and to South Africa’s economic growth.”
Beyond tampering with meters, Eskom pointed to a “worrying rise in vandalism, theft, and illegal connections” which it described as the “biggest threats to a reliable electricity supply.”
“Protecting Eskom’s infrastructure is a collective responsibility, and we urge South Africans to report any incidents of infrastructure theft, vandalism, illegal connections, or other forms of electricity theft,” the utility said.
The power utility added that its employees remain “mandated to deliver on Eskom’s crucial responsibility of supplying electricity to the nation” and appealed to communities to help safeguard both workers and infrastructure.