The NATJOINTS energy safety and security work stream continues to register commendable progress in ensuring that all forms of criminality that hamper the mandate of Eskom are dealt with decisively.
Since its establishment in 2022, the work stream has ensured incidents of sabotage and criminality affecting Eskom are reduced significantly.
In its latest takedown operation, An 80-year-old farmer was arrested after he was found to have been illegally connecting, distributing and selling electricity to communities that have settled on his farming property in the Fochville area.
On Tuesday, 03 December 2024, the NatJOINTS team led by SAPS, Eskom and Johannesburg City Power arrived on his farm where 3 transformers, 119 electricity meter boxes and electrical cables used to connect each household were confiscated.
The elderly suspect appeared in court on Wednesday, 04 December 2024 on a charge of tampering with essential infrastructure worth R90 000, theft of electricity worth R6 million and theft of meter boxes worth R476 000.
The matter has been postponed for Wednesday, 11 December 2024 for a formal bail application.
On a weekly basis, this structure strives to ensure that there are deployments in place to prevent, combat and investigate incidents that would hamper the delivery of electricity through generation, transmission and distribution.
The structure sits on a daily basis and monitors all power stations and essential infrastructure throughout the country. It is inclusive of various other government departments including SANDF, SSA, SARS, NPA, AFU and many others.
NATJOINTS energy safety and security secures arrest of farmer for theft of electricity amounting to R6 million https://t.co/gMVtRrMETG#ArriveAlive #Theft #Electricity #Farmer @SAPoliceService @TruckAndFreight pic.twitter.com/JAUvsYZTys
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 5, 2024
