The rampant criminality is exacerbating localised power cuts and the implementation of load-shedding, says Eskom.
10 March 2022 - 10:13Rampant criminality is exacerbating localised power cuts and the implementation of loadshedding, says Eskom. Stock photo.Fourteen suspects, including a scrap metal dealer and security personnel, were arrested when a team comprising police, the Hawks and Eskom investigators swooped on an alleged cable theft syndicate in Mpumalanga this week.
An intense investigation was opened when, over the past week, the electricity utility was hit by a spate of theft and vandalism on the 400KV Vulcan Transmission line in the region.“The repeated crime incidents contributed to Eskom having to declare a ‘major incident’ as a result of the extensive damage, loss of supply to thousands of customers and increased safety risks.
“Further investigations revealed that some security personnel deployed to protect the Eskom line were also involved with the syndicate,” said the utility.Advocate Karen Pillay, Eskom's head of security, said: “Cable theft continuously affects business operations and hampers the provision of basic essential services to industry and to communities.”
“Such levels of criminality undermine the ability of the state-owned companies to deliver the much-needed services such as electricity, rail, communications and other critical infrastructure.
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