The group is believed to be behind the recent spate of cable theft incidents on Eskom power lines between Allanridge and Odendaalsrus in the Free State. The resultant power outages affected essential services such as Sedibeng Water, which supplies hundreds of homes in the province with water, as well as Avgold, who provides many jobs in the province.
The arrest came after members of Eskom’s investigating team spotted a suspicious vehicle parked near an area that had been identified as a hotspot for cable theft. Upon questioning, it become apparent that the driver of the vehicle, a white Toyota Hilux bakkie, was part of a group that was involved in cable theft.
The driver took the investigators to the gang’s meeting point where his accomplices were waiting. Five more members of the gang were arrested on the scene and approximately a quarter of a million rands worth of stolen cable was recovered.
The suspects and all the evidence were handed over to the Allanridge SAPS where a case was opened.
Explaining the impact of this crime, a spokesperson from Eskom said the replacement cost of the stolen cable is not a true reflection of how much cable theft costs organisations like Eskom, Transnet and Telkom. “One has to take into account the cost of the cable itself, the labour required to fix the problem, the productive time lost by those affected by the resultant power outage and the increased cost of assigning security personnel to prevent the recurrence of the crime. This is the real cost of cable theft,” he said.
It is estimated that cable theft costs the economy between R5 billion and R7 billion a year, while Eskom spends about R2 billion every year on the replacement of stolen copper cable.
Six members of Free State cable theft syndicate arrested Press Release
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In a joint operation, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Hawks searched the suspect’s residence and found 598 illegal prepaid vouchers as well as R8500 in cash. The suspect and the evidence were handed over to the Kagiso SAPS where a case of fraud was opened.
“The buying and selling of illegal prepaid electricity vouchers is a crime that has taken root in many parts of the country,” said Dileep John, Eskom’s Head of Operation Khanyisa, the national campaign aimed at fighting electricity theft.
“Many might think it’s a victimless crime, only affecting Eskom. But this is not the case. The loss of revenue suffered by Eskom due to this crime contributes to the need for the national power utility to increase the tariffs charged to paying customers. The price for ghost vending is, therefore, paid by society as a whole,” John explained.
“So it is important that everyone helps kill the market for ghost vendors by refusing to buy illegal electricity vouchers and reporting suspected ghost vendors to Operation Khanyisa by sending anonymous tip-offs via SMS to 32211 (R1/SMS),” he added.
The arrest took place while another major case involving ghost vending was underway at the Palm Ridge Regional Court, also in Johannesburg. The four accused now face a lengthy prison sentence after they were found guilty on over 16 000 counts related to electricity theft. Sentencing in this case commences on 13 February.
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“Electricity theft remains one of the least reported crimes in South Africa despite the fact that an alarmingly high number of people, pets and livestock are killed every year as a result of illegal connections, improper house wiring, cable theft and low hanging conductors,” said General Manager for Eskom in Kwazulu-Natal Monde Bala at a media briefing in Umzinto, Kwazulu-Natal on 06 December 2016.
“South Africans are a passionate people who have in the past rallied to the aid of those who might not be able to defend themselves. We can see this today in the fight against atrocities such as rhino poaching.
“However, we are yet to see a similar display of passion and activism in the fight against electricity theft, a crime which, year after year, claims the lives of innocent people in many communities across the country.
“We wish to see all residents rising to the call to take an active stand against this crime by reporting suspected acts of electricity or cable theft to Operation Khanyisa. Tip-offs can be sent anonymously via SMS to 32211 (R1/SMS),” he said.
Operation Khanyisa is an Eskom-led campaign aimed at fighting electricity theft in South Africa.
According to Bala, the campaign has led to numerous arrests of electricity-theft suspects and more than 25 cases on the court roll in the last three years.
“It is clear that more needs to be done to combat electricity theft,” said Bala. “But we cannot win this battle on our own. We need the public’s assistance to bring to book not only those responsible for the 29 deaths in KZN, but also those who need to account for similar incidents in other parts of the country.
“Do the right thing and report electricity theft. Your simple SMS to 32211 could mean the difference between life and death for someone.”
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eskom-seeks-justice-for-29-deceased-82-injured-as-a-result-of-electricity-theft.pdf
“Electricity theft remains one of the least reported crimes in South Africa despite the fact that an alarmingly high number of people, pets and livestock are killed every year as a result of illegal connections, improper house wiring, cable theft and low hanging conductors,” said General Manager for Eskom in Kwazulu-Natal Monde Bala at a media briefing in Umzinto, Kwazulu-Natal on 06 December 2016.
“South Africans are a passionate people who have in the past rallied to the aid of those who might not be able to defend themselves. We can see this today in the fight against atrocities such as rhino poaching.
“However, we are yet to see a similar display of passion and activism in the fight against electricity theft, a crime which, year after year, claims the lives of innocent people in many communities across the country.
“We wish to see all residents rising to the call to take an active stand against this crime by reporting suspected acts of electricity or cable theft to Operation Khanyisa. Tip-offs can be sent anonymously via SMS to 32211 (R1/SMS),” he said.
Operation Khanyisa is an Eskom-led campaign aimed at fighting electricity theft in South Africa.
According to Bala, the campaign has led to numerous arrests of electricity-theft suspects and more than 25 cases on the court roll in the last three years.
“It is clear that more needs to be done to combat electricity theft,” said Bala. “But we cannot win this battle on our own. We need the public’s assistance to bring to book not only those responsible for the 29 deaths in KZN, but also those who need to account for similar incidents in other parts of the country.
“Do the right thing and report electricity theft. Your simple SMS to 32211 could mean the difference between life and death for someone.”
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eskom-seeks-justice-for-29-deceased-82-injured-as-a-result-of-electricity-theft.pdf
Operation Khanyisa is Eskom’s national behaviour change campaign aimed at promoting the legal and safe use of electricity.
According to Eskom’s Bryan Katane, the power utility’s customers and community members are coming out in large numbers to report electricity theft in general, including ghost vending – the selling of illegal prepaid electricity vouchers, a crime which Katane says has gone relatively unreported in the area.
“People are coming forward with useful information and as a result investigations are currently being carried out across the province,” he said.
He added that energy protection officials in the area also conduct audits on a continuous basis and have, for instance, audited approximately 60% of villages in the Rustenburg region.
Nationally, since 2013, Operation Khanyisa has recovered more than R800 million in revenue, primarily from fines and reconnection fees paid and prevented a further R1.4 million worth of electricity that would have been generated at a loss.
Furthermore, the campaign has resulted in the arrest of 50 electricity theft suspects and the opening of 26 cases in various courts.
In conclusion, Katane appealed to all South African residents across the country to continue to work with Eskom in its fight against the scourge of electricity theft, which is costing the country a whopping R20 billion a year.
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electricity-theft-tip-offs-growing-in-numbers
This came after the suspects were arrested on the R544 between Witbank and Kriel, in Mpumalanga, when the Hyndai bakkie they were travelling in was stopped by Eskom’s national contractor staff, who noticed that the suspects’ vehicle was loaded with copper.
“The vehicle stopped, and the occupants got out to adjust the cover, as the contents were visible. The suspects were confronted and requested to provide proof of purchase for the copper. No documents were provided, and the Witbank SAPS arrested the three suspects. It was established that 550 kg of copper was loaded on the bakkie,” the power utility said.
The bakkie and the copper were handed in at the Witbank SAPS, and each of the three suspects was granted bail.
In a separate incident, another Eskom national contractor who had been on duty around the Harrismith area noticed three people cutting the overhead line. A struggle ensued, and the three suspects fled the scene.
At the crime scene, 150 m x 120 mm overhead copper conductor was recovered. Further investigations indicated that a white Ford Ranger bakkie was in the vicinity, waiting to load the cable. The driver of the vehicle was arrested at a garage close to the crime scene, and it was confirmed that he was responsible for the cable theft incidents, which had been on the rise between the Harrismith and Kestell areas over the past three weeks.
Theft of Eskom infrastructure, including copper cables, overhead lines, transformers, and conductors, among others, remains a serious concern for the power utility.
Eskom, along with other state-owned entities such as Transnet, Telkom, and municipalities, is plagued by infrastructure theft, with the value of material stolen remaining a serious concern, as it is indicative of organised, syndicate-driven criminal activity in the copper theft environment.
While copper theft costs the economy between R5 billion and R7 billion a year, Eskom spends in the region of R2 billion a year on the replacement of stolen copper cables.
However, there is hope that this crime will ultimately cease to exist, as the courts have started to take copper theft seriously. This is evident in the form of significant sentences that are being handed out to perpetrators.
In addition to tougher sentences, of the 8 988 cable theft incidents reported between 2012 and 2016, 1 159 arrests were made. This indicates that something is being done to avert this crime. With improved legislation and tougher sentences, the power utility believes that the theft and vandalism of critical network infrastructure will ultimately cease.
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copper-thieves-busted-edited
Themba Mamushi, Eskom’s Mbombela Zone Manager, who presented the report, emphasised, however, that the figures shown in the report are not a true reflection of how big the problem actually is in the province.
“These figures are very conservative,” he stressed. “They only show incidents that occurred in the Eskom-supplied areas. They do not include cases that happen in areas that get their electricity supply from the local municipalities. Also not reflected are the many incidents that involve people who are illegally in the country who do not report cases for fear of being discovered by the authorities.
“We have a Zero-Harm policy that we adhere to at Eskom, which we apply to both our employees and the communities in which we operate. Therefore, the loss of even a single life is totally unacceptable,” Mamushi said.
“The seriousness of the issue becomes evident when we consider cases like that of a two-year-old child from Madlala village who was electrocuted and died due to an illegal connection, or the six-year-old from Kamhlushwa who died after touching a cable inside a panel that was vandalised by copper thieves.
“There are also severe injuries and mutilations that are a direct result of illegal connections, cable theft and improper house wiring,” he added. “Those responsible must be held to account for their actions.”
Mamushi said Eskom is working tirelessly in its fight against electricity thieves.
“This year alone we have opened five court cases against perpetrators in Mpumalanga. We recently also disconnected 16 illegal connections around the Buffelspruit taxi rank and issued tamper fines to the tune of R126 000 to those responsible. We are also implementing split-metering in new installations, making meter tampering impossible.
“But we need the public’s help if we are going to truly win this battle. We therefore request all citizens to report suspected electricity theft by sending anonymous SMS tip-offs to 32211 (R1/ SMS),” he concluded.
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electricity-theft-claims-lives-in-mpumalanga
Explaining the reason for the new approach, Dileep John, Eskom’s Head of Operation Khanyisa, the power utility’s campaign formed to fight electricity theft, said: “We are working tirelessly in our fight against electricity theft. However, our efforts are being undermined by individuals, contractors and even Eskom staff who, for their own selfish gain, illegally reconnect customers whose services have been terminated. This is why we are now implementing this tactic more frequently in all our operating units.”
To catch those responsible for the illegal reconnections, investigators from Eskom pose as customers whose electricity has been disconnected, luring the would-be criminals who are arrested as soon as they start their illegal operation.
The new approach recently proved its effectiveness when a trap was set for one suspect whose arrest led to the capture of five others, of whom one has already received a prison sentence. The other cases are ongoing, with investigators confident of more arrests, including Eskom staff.
In a separate case, two suspects were arrested in Thohoyandou, Limpopo while they were busy with an illegal connection for a person whom they thought was seeking their illegal services, but who turned out to be an undercover Eskom investigator.
John issued a stern warning to all those involved in electricity theft stating that Eskom is taking a zero-tolerance stance against this crime to ensure that perpetrators are held responsible for their actions.
Those who wish to assist in the fight against electricity theft can do so by sending anonymous SMS tip-offs to 32211 (R1/ SMS).
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eskom-goes-undercover-to-catch-electricity-thieves_updated.pdf
In collaboration with the Free State provincial government, Eskom, through Operation Khanyisa, the utility’s national campaign aimed at promoting the legal and safe use of electricity, participated in the province’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reductions programme by highlighting the risks associated with illegal electricity connections through the use of industrial theatre. The educational play was targeted at more than 1,500 community members, including 1,200 learners from local schools, who were in attendance at Botshabelo’s Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium.
“The public education campaign will continue in Warden on Friday, Parys and Vredefort on Monday and Tuesday next week, and will conclude in Harrismith on the 20th and 21st of October,” said Eugene Myburgh, Eskom’s Energy Trading Manager in the Free State.
Myburgh added that today’s leg of the campaign was a resounding success. “We reached more than 1,500 community members through several interventions such as the industrial theatre, which educated people on electricity safety and the dangers of electricity theft on our lives.
“Because electricity related injuries remain a serious threat in the province, we decided to embark on this campaign to educate people about the dangers of electricity theft and also urge people to stop connecting electricity illegally in the interest of their own safety and that of our children,” he said.
“We express our gratitude to all members of the public who have supported Operation Khanyisa by reporting suspected electricity theft and illegal connections in their communities.”
Myburgh urged all South Africans to continue reporting the perpetrators of this crime by sending anonymous SMS tip-offs to 32211 (R1/ SMS).
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eskom-extends-electricity-safety-education-to-the-free-state.pdf
According to power utility Eskom, electricity related injuries and deaths in the areas of the Free State supplied by the utility have exceeded motor vehicle related accidents and deaths by more than 23 percent.
“It is for this reason that the national power utility joined the campaign to educate the public about the dangers of electricity theft and to encourage the public to join the fight against this crime, which often leads to the unnecessary loss of life of people who come into contact with live wires from dangerous illegal connections,” explained Eugene Myburgh, Energy Trading Manager in the Free State province.
Through an educational play that delighted both learners and educators at Kopanang/Hlanganani Primary School, Eskom demonstrated the dangers associated with the various forms of electricity theft, including illegal connections, meter tampering and bypassing, and cable theft.
“The next leg of the campaign will take place in Parys and Vredefort on Monday and Tuesday next week, and will conclude in neighbouring Harrismith on the 20th and 21st of October where members of the media will also be invited to participate Johannesburg, 14 October 2016 – Eskom, in collaboration with the Free State provincial government, today introduced electricity safety in the education curriculum at Kopanang/Hlanganani Primary School in Warden in the Eastern Free State as part of the province’s ongoing public safety campaign.
According to power utility Eskom, electricity related injuries and deaths in the areas of the Free State supplied by the utility have exceeded motor vehicle related accidents and deaths by more than 23 percent.
“It is for this reason that the national power utility joined the campaign to educate the public about the dangers of electricity theft and to encourage the public to join the fight against this crime, which often leads to the unnecessary loss of life of people who come into contact with live wires from dangerous illegal connections,” explained Eugene Myburgh, Energy Trading Manager in the Free State province.
Through an educational play that delighted both learners and educators at Kopanang/Hlanganani Primary School, Eskom demonstrated the dangers associated with the various forms of electricity theft, including illegal connections, meter tampering and bypassing, and cable theft.
“The next leg of the campaign will take place in Parys and Vredefort on Monday and Tuesday next week, and will conclude in neighbouring Harrismith on the 20th and 21st of October where members of the media will also be invited to participate
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eskom-electricity-theft-campaign-in-free-state.pdf