- Eskom has fined 100,000 users in its ongoing effort to tackle illegal electricity consumption.
- City Power disconnected over 120 homes in Johannesburg after discovering tampered prepaid meters.
Nearly two million prepaid electricity users in South Africa are suspected of illegally consuming power through tampered or bypassed connections. Eskom, the country’s national electricity provider, has warned that these illegal activities will not go unnoticed and severely impact the utility’s financial health.
In a recent parliamentary Q&A, Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa described this issue as a significant challenge crucial to Eskom’s operational sustainability. These so-called “zero buyers”, individuals who consume electricity without paying, represent a substantial financial burden for the utility, which is already struggling with ongoing economic pressures.
To address the widespread issue, Eskom launched a grace period allowing users to come forward and regularise their accounts without facing penalties. The amnesty program ended on December 14, 2024, and prompted around 400,000 individuals to declare and resolve their illegal connections. However, with millions still unaccounted for, Eskom’s efforts to address the problem are ongoing.
Since the conclusion of the grace period, Eskom has ramped up its efforts to audit electricity meters and installations. The utility has warned that anyone found with tampered meters could face fines of up to R12,000, with repeat offenders potentially facing criminal charges. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena confirmed that fines typically range around R6,000. So far, Eskom has issued penalties to approximately 100,000 customers, collecting R90 million and R180 million out of an estimated total of R600 million to R1.2 billion in fines.
Eskom stressed the importance of compliance to ensure its financial sustainability and the broader stability of South Africa‘s economy. “This support is crucial for Eskom’s operational and financial health and for contributing to South Africa’s economic growth,” the utility emphasised.
The problem extends beyond Eskom, with Johannesburg’s City Power also taking decisive action against electricity theft. Recently, City Power disconnected more than 120 homes in Kliptown Square after discovering tampered prepaid meters. Acting on a tip-off, the utility conducted inspections, removed the illegal meters, and imposed fines exceeding R14,000 on offenders.
City Power’s crackdown is part of a more extensive “normalisation programme,” which involves updating meters to comply with the Token Identifier (TID) rollover. This process ensures prepaid meters remain functional and secure. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena warned non-compliant users would face penalties, reinforcing the utility’s firm stance on tackling electricity theft.
Eskom and City Power’s actions underscore a growing intolerance for illegal power consumption. With intensified audits and heavy penalties, the utilities are sending a clear message: those who abuse the system will be held accountable.