AfrElec: South Africa’s power utility Eskom intensifies efforts to curb electricity theft

South Africa’s state-run power utility Eskom has intensified efforts to address electricity theft following the prepaid meter update on 24 November 2024, part of the planned token identifier (TID) rollover. The update exposed significant meter fraud, with 1.7mn of Eskom's 7.2 mn meters remaining un-updated. Many of these meters are linked to electricity theft through bypassing meters or ghost vending, News24 reported on December 12.

Before the update, Eskom encouraged electricity thieves to come forward, offering a grace period to update meters and avoid severe penalties. Customers who failed to comply would face meter replacement costs of ZAR12,000 (about $700). By 13 December 2024, 400,000 non-vending customers had come forward, potentially increasing Eskom’s revenue by ZAR440mn ($24.6mn) monthly. Eskom also issued 100,000 tamper fines, of which 15,000 have been partly or fully paid.

Starting 14 December 2024, Eskom plans stricter enforcement, including intensified meter audits, fines of up to ZAR12,000, and potential criminal charges for repeat offenders.

“Eskom has been running its most recent campaigns over the last 18 months appealing to electricity users to come forward and do what is right by regularising accounts and buying electricity from legal vendors,” the utility said in a statement. “Eskom continues to encourage eligible households to check their qualification for the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) grant, which provides 50 kWh of electricity per month.”

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