Placing election posters on Eskom electricity structures is illegal

Saturday, 27 April 2024: South Africa is preparing for elections in May 2024, and political parties are putting up election posters as part of their campaigns. In the past, there have unfortunately been incidents where persons have been electrocuted or shocked when putting up these posters.

As such, Eskom would like to caution all political parties against the dangerous practice of placing campaign posters on electrical structures. This includes electricity poles, electricity towers, meter boxes and mini substations. Electricity is invisible to the naked eye and the risk is that when someone gets close to or touches them it may result in an inadvertent flash-over or electrical contact. This can cause serious injuries to the person or even be fatal.

Only authorised personnel are allowed to climb or work on these electrical structures. Section 19 (5) of the Electrical Machinery Regulations states: “No person shall encroach in person or with objects on the minimum safety clearances required in terms of sub-regulation (1) or require or permit any other person to do so except by permission of the supplier or user operating the powerline”.

Attaching posters to an electrical structure is not only a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (No.85 of 1993), but also puts the lives of your valuable employees, members of the public and volunteers at risk.

Eskom cares about your safety and we request you to refrain from attaching posters to electrical structures to prevent injury or loss of lives.

ENDS