Eskom spends more than R2 billion annually fixing infrastructure damaged by cable theft syndicates who are also responsible for the current blackouts experienced by most residents in the North West, the power utility said this week.
Eskom’s provincial customer relations manager, Ezekiel Baruti, said the amount used to replace stolen cables, delays progress in other areas.
“Cable theft is very rife in the North West, Eskom is losing more than R2 billion per annum as a result of cable theft, which could have been invested somewhere to do maintenance. It could have been brought back to do electrification and make connections for customers who struggle with electricity.
“We have beefed up security at most of the strategic substations. But unfortunately, we don’t have financial resources to put up security at all the substations and the mini-subs,” Baruti said.
He said the capital City of Mahikeng experiences cable theft the most.
“Cable theft happens every day in Mahikeng followed by Klerksdorp and Rustenburg. We are working very closely with law enforcement agencies such as the South African Police, and the Hawks together with the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure successful prosecution in these cases.
“We have had successful prosecution in Klerksdorp, where people were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. But unfortunately, successful convictions do not deter determined delinquents,” he said.
