Eskom Urges Reporting of Electrical Safety Hazards

Eskom has called on South Africans to report illegal electricity connections and exposed wires as part of its Electricity Safety Month campaign, warning that unsafe electrical practices are endangering lives.

Eskom’s Senior Manager for Health and Safety, Miranda Moahlodi, revealed that the power utility has recorded around 200 public injuries and fatalities related to electricity. She said many more incidents go unreported because communities often feel compelled to protect illegal connections.

“It is genuinely distressing to think that many electricity-related injuries and deaths go unreported to Eskom. Furthermore, criminal activities are on the rise, with increasing cases of infrastructure vandalism, cable theft, and attacks on Eskom staff,” Moahlodi said.

She appealed to communities to help curb the aggression faced by Eskom employees. “Like everyone else, we have families waiting for us at home after work,” she noted.

The utility emphasised that exposed wires and illegal connections pose a serious threat to community safety, infrastructure, and lives. Poorly installed or tampered-with lines are among the leading causes of fires in informal settlements and residential areas.

“By reporting hazards early, we can prevent fires that destroy homes and disrupt lives,” Eskom stated. The utility urged residents to be vigilant and act when they see a dangling or low-hanging wire, an open electrical box, or unsafe connections running through trees, along streets, or across rooftops.

Eskom encouraged regular checks of electrical systems, adherence to safety guidelines, and swift action when risks are identified.

Illegal activities affecting Eskom’s infrastructure can be reported via the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 11 27 22, by email at eskom@whistleblowing.co.za, or via SMS to 31090.

“Together, we can create safer homes, safer workplaces, and ultimately a safer South Africa. By reporting dangerous wiring, illegal connections, or exposed wires to Eskom or your local municipality, you could save a life — perhaps that of a child or someone unaware of the danger,” Eskom said.

The call forms part of Eskom’s broader campaign to promote responsible electricity use and protect both the public and the utility’s infrastructure.