Eskom blames illegal connections for load reduction in rural Limpopo

Several rural communities in Limpopo have accused Eskom of wrongfully implementing load reduction in their areas. Residents of Ga-Mathabatha Village, near Lebowakgomo, have been experiencing power interruptions for three weeks. The power utility has implemented load reduction across affected areas due to illegal connections.

Residents Fenny Malema and Gilbert Ramokgotsoa, say they rely on firewood during outages. According to them, there are no illegal connections where they live.

“We suspect that what is causing Eskom to implement load reduction could be cable theft, some of the criminals in our area steal cables, especially at homes that are abandoned. Actually, the whole issue of electricity started around June. On the 6th of June until today. So, it has affected us because initially when children have to go to school they normally wash at around seven ‘o’ clock and the people that are working because that is the time they have to wash.”

Eskom spokesperson for Limpopo, Matshidiso Phaladi, says the main cause of load reduction in some areas is illegal connections.

Phaladi says a number of areas, including Botlokwa, parts of Thohoyandou, Zebediela and Burgersfort, have been affected.

“The continued pressures on our transformers and mini substations due to illegal connections and electricity theft, makes it necessary for us to implement load reduction so that we avoid equipment damage. And also ensure security of supply for our customers. We are having 75 feeders in the province that are overloaded due to illegal connections.”

 Disgruntled communities in Limpopo slam load reduction