There is no list to switch off electricity in certain parts of Soweto, Eskom said on Monday.
STOP SHARING THE FAKE LIST
Eskom Gauteng spokesperson Amanda Qithi said they have been made aware that there is misinformation circulating pertaining to an alleged list to switch off electricity in certain parts of Soweto.
“Eskom would like to confirm that there is no list to switch off electricity for communities, furthermore requests that those communicating such allegations to refrain from doing so at they are misleading the residents of Soweto with incorrect information,” Qithi said.
ESKOM DOES CONDUCT SYSTEM AND NETWORK AUDITS
She said; however, Eskom does conduct system and network audits to look after its infrastructure to prevent widespread damage, prolonged outages and to protect the lives of innocent people in all its areas of supply across Gauteng, and this is a standard Eskom process.
‘ESKOM HAS LOST REVENUE IN EXCESS OF BILLIONS’
“In this year alone Eskom in Gauteng has lost revenue in excess of billions and in its attempt to protect its infrastructure, it has implemented some strategies such as the conversion of customers from post-paid to prepaid meters, intensified audits and continues to educate its customers on the importance of paying for electricity and encouraging them to apply and use the free basic electricity made available to low-income households referred to as indigents,” Qithi said.
THERE IS AN INCREASE IN CRIMINALITY SUCH AS STEALING ELECTRICITY
She added that the high increase and magnitude acts of criminality such as stealing of electricity, theft, and vandalism of equipment, unpaid bills, and buying electricity from ghost vendors necessitate Eskom to respond by disconnecting those found to have contravened and issuing them with reconnection fines.
“There are a number of customers that have been issued with fines and have paid their fines, and subsequently, the electricity has been reconnected in those communities.
“The utility appeals to the customers that have been issued with fines to pay the fines so that their electricity can also be reconnected,” Qithi said.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IS COSTLY AND UNSUSTAINABLE
According to Qithi, it is important for Eskom to run its operations efficiently and curb financial losses as a result of illegal activities, as this is costly and unsustainable.
“Eskom remains committed to providing reliable electricity supply and improving the economy and South Africans’ lives; however, the current theft and vandalism impede the utility in fully implementing its mandate,” she concluded.
