700 Eskom transformers failing due to vandalism and illegal connections

JOHANNESBURG - More than 700 transformers, belonging to Eskom are failing as a result of vandalism and illegal connections.

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa shared the alarming revelation during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.

He said that while this is a cause for concern, the power utility is currently performing at a 70% energy availability level.

Ramakgopa raised the alarm on illegal connections saying the practice is slowing efforts to end load shedding.

He announced a target of 12 months to end load reduction and rollout new specialised smart meters that can detect illegal connections and determine if households qualify for free power.

Ramokgopa also promised to move on plans to refurbish and maintain critical infrastructure in affected areas.

He called on communities not to be disruptive when teams are at work.

"Part of the resistance I was referring to we know that there are those who are profiting from the illegal connections, some of those are delinquent employees of Eskom in municipalities that are connecting people illegally."

He added that a clampdown is also underway to root out corrupt Eskom employees.