Eskom is aware of transformer OSB273, in Osizweni, Newcastle, which failed due to overload on 07 November 2023. The transformer supplies electricity to 73 legally connected customers, and of these, only 24 (33%) are paying for the electricity they consume.
Eskom is experiencing a significant increase in transformer failures in residential areas due to meter tampering, illegal connections and vandalism of Eskom’s infrastructure. The existing infrastructure has been installed to cater for supply requirements of Eskom’s legal customers. The transformer that is supplying electricity to Osizweni failed due to overload caused by a high number of bypassed meters and illegal electricity connections.
Due to the increasing number of the transformer failures, replacement thereof without addressing the root cause has become unsustainable, costly, and unsafe for Eskom’s technicians and members of the public, more specifically the innocent children.
Therefore, before the transformer can be replaced and supply restored, an audit must be conducted, and the network normalised. The community members who are found to have tampered with the metering installation will be issued with remedial fines and illegal connections will be removed and/ or normalised.
Eskom will require 75% of the customers to be in good standing before the transformer is replaced. As per the NERSA published tariffs, the customers that have bypassed the meters have to pay a tamper fine of R6052.60, where at least R3000 upfront payment must be paid with a balance payable as and when the customer purchases an electricity token.
Eskom has had engagements with the community leaders in this regard and will continue to work with the community until the matter is resolved. Communities are urged to cooperate with Eskom teams on the ground by granting them access to the Eskom metres in their homes when audits take place.
Eskom wishes to encourage the public to report information regarding illegal electricity sales, fraud, meter tampering and all other electricity-related crimes to the Eskom Crime Line: 080011 27 22. Reporting can be done anonymously.
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