Thursday, 19 March 2020: Two Eskom employees and a plot owner were arrested on Monday, 16 March
2020 for allegedly connecting customers illegally using Eskom’s transformer and
other material in the north of Johannesburg.
All
three appeared briefly in the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court yesterday and remain
in custody.
The said employees were caught following public tip
offs which were followed by an extensive investigation through collaboration
between Eskom and the South African Police Services (SAPS). This was part of an
ongoing sting operation to deal with any criminality that seeks to undermine
efforts to be efficient, contain costs, reduce theft-related energy losses,
increase sales and collect revenue for services rendered. This brings the
number of employees who were caught in similar unlawful activities to five
since the beginning of 2020.
We will
continue to heighten efforts to curb any criminal act by anyone, including our employees,
and we will cooperate fully with the law enforcement agencies on the matters, said Motlhabane Ramashi, the Senior Manager
for Maintenance and Operations in Gauteng.
Eskom will
in addition, subject its employees to its internal disciplinary processes. Ramashi urged all those who may be aware of
any form of criminal acts by Eskom employees or anyone to send their anonymous
tip-offs to Crime Line on 32211.
ENDS