The theft of cables, overhead lines, transformers and conductors costs Eskom approximately R2 billion per year.

Illegal electricity connections and cable theft further more often lead to prolonged power outages and compromises the quality of supply, which affects businesses, essential services, as well as the day-to-day lives of society. All this have a negative impact on the economy.

The two cable thieves were sentenced to a total of 27 years imprisonment recently for stealing more than 4 km of Eskom’s aluminium cables, back in 2018.

Anye Valentine Nkwenti was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, while Happy Dube was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after they were found guilty in the Bronkhorstspruit Regional Court.

Kith Maitisa, the Eskom SHEQS Manager in Gauteng welcomed the convictions and expressed appreciation for the cooperation between the Eskom employees, the security company and SAPS for apprehending the criminals.

“Gauteng experiences a lot of cable theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure. The arrests are part of our heightened efforts to curb criminal acts that affect customers, disrupt people’s livelihoods and the future of the country,” he said.

Maitisa urged all those who may be aware of any form of criminal acts to report them by calling the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 112 722 or the South African Police Services (SAPS).  The tip-offs can also be done anonymously.