The Hekpoort Police arrested a 54-year-old man recently for tampering with an Eskom transformer.
Hekpoort Police spokesperson Sergeant Gloria Maswanganye said the man was found with the transformer inside his bakkie early on Monday morning, January 31.
“Power transformers play a key role in distributing power to people across the country. Tampering with Eskom substations can be deadly,” Sergeant Maswanganye warned.
She explained that Sergeants Gwala and Sehoka noticed a white Toyota Hilux bakkie parked next to an Eskom pole in Weltevreden in the Hekpoort area at about 08:15. They found the transformer inside the bakkie.
The owner of the farm told the police that when he went to drop off the kids, the transformer was on the ground, and when he returned he found it had been loaded in the bakkie.”
The 54-year-old suspect was arrested for tampering and damaging essential infrastructure. He will appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court.
Hekpoort Police station commander Captain Tebogo Kgomo applauded the members’ commitment and she urged the community to refrain from tampering with transformer poles, and to report any such crimes or vandalism immediately.
The community can call them on 014 576 9100 or contact the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
Eskom condemns any acts of criminality and requests members of the public to provide information that can lead to the arrest and the successful prosecution of those involved. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activities anonymously to the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 11 27 22 (toll free) or to the nearest police station.
