Theft in Soweto hits utility hard
SOWETO residents have been singled out as the main culprits who fail to pay for their electricity.
Eskom is also concerned that the electricity theft could increase as a result of the steep increases in prices it wants to institute.
Annual results show that it has lost R1,2-billion on power theft and illegal connections. This includes illegal connections of pre-paid meters.
In its prepared submission to Nersa, which Sowetan has seen, Eskom states that its arrears of R775-million are "largely due to the effect of the economic recession and lower residential payment as a result of increased prices".
Soweto has a complex build-up of historical debt - it accounts for 75% of Eskom's total outstanding debt.
Payments were under 30% compared to more than 80% in other townships.
Eskom was engaging with political leadership and communities in finding a lasting solution to this problem.
- This article was first published in the printed newspaper on 11 October 2012

Comments
warry
The cabal from Lusaka destroyed the country. It is called democracy.Report Abuse
mvemvane
as usual, its people from soweto that think they are more clever than the rest of us. expensive and blingy clothes and jewellery with an izinyoka connected electricity at home.The likes of warry ne kuku elinkulu
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Mrazane
If there is illegal connection of prepaid metres then Eskom must take responsibility for that. The main culprits for electricity theft are Eskom staff themselves, they are selling electricity and and pocketing the money, in Gauteng and Limpopo townships people buy R100 electricity and get R200 worth of electricity and not a single cent goes to Eskom. It is incomprehensible that Eskom cannot catch the culprits who have access to the Eskom system.Report Abuse
Hail
Even if you report illegal connection is just fall in deaf ears while we are paying for our own and others are riding on the gravy train. It is not fair at all.Report Abuse
cocolucho
Damn, somebody needs to hook me up with these people. I pay 3 times more for electricity than all my neighbours and even resorted to turning off the geyser and taking a shower at my neighbours, but I still pay more.Report Abuse
ntyantya
I know many houses in Soweto that have illegal connection. Believe me when eskom finds out all the culprits almost every house in Soweto will be without electricityReport Abuse
Letjatji
The problem is that ANC was using townships during struggle esp soweto to tell residents not to pay for electricity and the municipal rate.They are being spoon fed and no one is doing nothing.@mvemvane,i dont think on average this soweto people are clever,go to universities u will mostly get kids from limpopo and eastern cape.To proof they are not clever take a person like Irvin Khoza who will fight you if you can call him Mr khoza even if he just got honorary doctorate not phd and his highest school qualificatin is standard five.If u have honorary doctrate is up to individuals to call u DR or MR.
The problem with people from soweto is that they create a fallacy about themselves and sometimes putting wrong impression about their position in life.I have a cousin who lied to me that she is having a house at fourways in an estate,one day i called him while at monte and he was no were to be found but tolt me the day before that he will wait for me,later his brother told she is staying at winnie next to thembisa.This is the cousin who will visit us in rural areas and tell us the way the place is so dull,but i archived far better than her in education and wealth.I use to visit soweto when i was young and people use to say i am from matlampankwaletse but today i laugh at them.
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Mosquer
As long as you don't show mercy to the citizens they will be more misirable to youReport Abuse
warry
@ Mvevane, my kukudzelela still do the line even here. Don't you need a taste. I stay in midrand my brother not soweto.Report Abuse
Letjatji
@MosquerPartially you are right.The problem with this people is that they dress expensive,they dive expensive,they drink like fish but cant afford electric and municipal rates.Were i staying if u dont pay for two months my meter card get blocked why cant it be done in Soweto.
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