Staff Reporter
National power utility Eskom has warned customers not to buy prepaid electricity vouchers from ghost vendors as it is illegal and could result in them being heavily fined or facing prosecution.
A statement released by the company’s Free State spokesperson Stefanie Jansen van Rensburg says buying from illegal vendors is seen as bypassing the meter and therefore tantamount to electricity theft.
“Electricity theft is still growing, and it is not only limited to illegal connections and meter tampering,” read part of the statement.
“Eskom also has to fight the scourge of illegal prepaid electricity vouchers,” it said.
Eskom’s group executive for the distribution division, Monde Bala, warned that the company regularly monitors electricity use by consumers and any cases of theft can be easily picked up.
“The use of ghost electricity dispensers started in the early to mid-1990s. At first it was an individualised crime. Over the years it has grown to a specialised, syndicate crime,” said Bala.
“The possibility of ghost vending becomes apparent to Eskom as soon as there is a sharp decrease in the normal consumption of a customer or area.”
Eskom says as a result of the huge revenue losses it is experiencing, it may be persuaded to lay criminal charges against those breaking the law.
“If Eskom finds a customer buying illegal vouchers from a ghost vendor, a residential customer will be required to pay a minimum fine of R6 052.60 up to R30 000, depending on the size of the supply. Customers could even face prosecution,” said the statement.
It urged customers to buy Eskom prepaid vouchers only from legal Eskom national vendors that have their footprint in supermarkets, petrol stations, spaza shops, ATMs, mini markets or mobile apps and online banking.
“In efforts to achieve operational efficiency and sustainability, Eskom continues to implement revenue recovery initiatives,” said the power company.
“These include the curbing of illegal selling of prepaid electricity vouchers, or ghost vending as it is commonly known.
“These vouchers are illegal because the money paid goes to the syndicates and not to Eskom or the municipalities who need the revenue to maintain the electricity networks.”
Eskom said people should not be deceived and tempted on social media by unknown people promising big discounts for their purchases.
Customers can report suspected illegal electricity sales by sending an SMS to 32211 or by calling the Eskom Contact Centre on 08600 37566.