Eskom has recorded a ‘troubling rise in theft-related incidents’, including illegal mining around pylons.
While Eskom has recorded a slight drop in criminal activity targeting its infrastructure, the power utility has warned that vandalism and theft remain a significant threat to South Africa’s electricity supply and public safety.
The state-owned entity said on Wednesday that although the cost of such crimes fell from R271 million on 1 April 2024 to R221 million by end of February 2025, the damage caused by the destruction of mini-substations, transformers and high-voltage pylons continues to cripple essential services.
“We urge communities to play a role in safeguarding the infrastructure that delivers electricity to their homes and businesses,” said Monde Bala, Eskom’s group executive for distribution.
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R1.5m equipment bust
Eskom commended the South African Police Service (Saps) following a recent intelligence-driven operation that led to the arrest of six suspects allegedly found with stolen Eskom equipment valued at R1.5 million.
The suspects appeared at the Ngwelezane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 7 April.
“Despite this improvement, the issue demands ongoing vigilance and proactive community involvement,” Eskom said.
Bala further added that vandalism results in unplanned power outages and that restoration can take weeks when critical components like transformers or high-voltage breakers are damaged.
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The danger — Deadly sabotage
According to Bala, Eskom has recorded a “troubling rise in theft-related incidents, including the removal of pylon steel structures, illegal sand mining around pylons, and the siphoning of oil from transformers.”
“These activities not only disrupt supply but also pose significant safety hazards,” he warned.
Another concerning act includes the throwing of metal chains and wires onto power lines and illegal connections, causing dangerous flashovers or overheating.
“The theft of steel components from pylons compromises the structural stability of power towers, increasing the risk of collapse—particularly after heavy rainfall,” Bala said.
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A call for vigilance
“We cannot continue to lose members of our communities to these preventable incidents. Everyone must remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and reject the notion that vandalism is an acceptable means of survival,” said Bala.
Eskom urged the public to report any tampering or theft of infrastructure by calling 0800 11 27 22, sending an SMS to 31090, or notifying local authorities.
“Together, we can ensure a stable electricity supply and safeguard our communities,” Bala concluded.
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