Fochville farmer arrested in R6 Million Eskom electricity theft operation
The arrest followed a raid on his property.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) energy safety and security workstream has made significant strides in tackling criminal activities that disrupt Eskom’s operations.
In a recent operation, an 80-year-old farmer from Fochville was arrested for his involvement in the illegal distribution and sale of electricity to local communities, with an estimated value of R6 million. The arrest followed a raid on the farmer’s property on Tuesday, December 3, led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), Eskom, and Johannesburg City Power.
During the operation, authorities seized three transformers, 119 electricity meter boxes, and extensive electrical cables used to illegally supply power to nearby households. The farmer was charged with tampering with essential infrastructure, the theft of electricity, and the theft of meter boxes. The total value of the stolen electricity was estimated at R6 million, while the stolen meter boxes amounted to R476 000.
The damage to essential infrastructure, including transformers and cables, was valued at R90 000.The accused appeared in court on Wednesday, 04 December 2024, where his case was postponed to December 11 for a formal bail application. This action forms part of the ongoing efforts by NATJOINTS to combat sabotage and criminal activities that affect Eskom’s ability to provide electricity to South Africans.
Since its formation in 2022, the NATJOINTS energy safety and security workstream has played a pivotal role in reducing incidents of power theft and related criminal activities.
The workstream continues to ensure the protection of critical energy infrastructure by deploying regular operations to prevent, investigate, and prosecute crimes that undermine the country’s energy security. The structure also operates with the collaboration of other government bodies, including the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), State Security Agency (SSA), South African Revenue Service (SARS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), ensuring a comprehensive approach to safeguarding South Africa’s energy supply.
