Johannesburg: As Eskom continues to observe Electricity Safety Month in August, it has urged South Africans to report unsafe electricity connections and help save lives. Eskom Senior Manager for Occupational Health and Safety, Miranda Moahlodi, highlighted the serious safety risks communities face due to 'illegal connections, low-hanging and exposed wires, cable theft, infrastructure vandalism, and attacks on electricity workers'.
According to South African Government News Agency, Eskom has reported around 200 public safety impacts linked to electricity-related incidents. The power utility remains concerned that many more incidents may go unreported, especially in communities that protect the illegal connections responsible for these hazards. Despite electricity's essential role in everyday life, 'illegal connections, exposed conductors, and tampered infrastructure' continue to pose significant risks to communities, employees, and contractors.
Eskom emphasized that poorly installed, overloaded, or tampered electrical lines are major contributors to fires in informal settlements and residential areas. Early reporting can prevent devastating fires, protect children and families, reduce unplanned outages, and support a safer, more reliable electricity network. The Eskom See-Act-Immediately approach is crucial when communities encounter hazards like fallen or low-hanging wires, open electrical boxes, damaged meter boxes, vandalized transformers, or unsafe connections running through trees, streets, or rooftops. Communities must act immediately by moving away, warning others, and reporting the hazard.
The power utility also warned that vandalism, cable theft, and illegal electricity operations could lead to 'extended outages, damage essential services, and expose communities, employees, and contractors to potentially fatal risks'. Eskom urges the public to report electricity-related crime, illegal connections, and unsafe electrical hazards to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 11 27 22, via email at [email protected], or by SMS to 31090.
Eskom reiterated, 'Together, we can create safer homes, safer workplaces, and safer communities. Report illegal connections, exposed wires, damaged electrical equipment, meter tampering, cable theft, or vandalism to Eskom or your local municipality. Your report could prevent an injury, save a child's life, and help keep South Africa's electricity infrastructure safe and reliable.'
