Eskom halts campaign due to load-shedding
The campaign was launched to curb illegal connections and proved to be successful as arrests have been made when the campaign was operational.
LIMPOPO – Eskom in Limpopo had to halt its campaign to eradicate illegal connections across the province because of load-shedding.
This, after a successful operation was held in Mankweng from January to mid July.
Eskom customer relations manager, Matshidiso Phaladi says although numbers cannot be confirmed at this stage, they removed a large number of illegal connections in the area only, but the fact that load-shedding sometimes occurs outside of scheduled hours exposes technicians to hazardous conditions.
“The campaign has been temporarily put on hold, but we assist with all other customer needs,” she says.
The campaign, according to Phaladi, is part of a wider operation that deals with the overloading of the supply network, which affects all users, including law-abiding customers and which cripples the power utility’s ability to generate revenue.
Phaladi says they have on countless occasions warned contractors and home owners to desist from connecting electricity illegally, and have at some point, opened a criminal case against one of its contractors in Mankweng who took it upon themselves to connect power to someone illegally.
“They have since their arrest been remanded in custody. We have a very tight case against the perpetrator. Their case has been moved to January,” she adds.
