Wednesday, 19 February 2025: Eskom is working closely with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Energy Safety & Security Priority Committee to address the rising wave of violent crimes targeting its employees. Despite an initial decline earlier in the financial year, these attacks have surged since October 2024, posing significant risks to both personnel and service delivery operations, particularly in the Eastern Cape.
While collaboration with NATJOINTS has led to the recovery of assets worth R388,573, Eskom has suffered direct financial losses amounting to R2.6 million due to these criminal activities.
Since the start of the 2024/25 financial year, the Eskom Eastern Cape region has recorded 19 violent incidents—the highest across all Eskom supply areas. These include 14 armed robberies and five car hijackings, underscoring the severity of the threat.
One of the most alarming incidents occurred on 4 January 2025 along the N2 at Tsolo Junction, where an Eskom employee was shot and robbed of personal belongings during a car hijacking. Electrification sites and commuting employees remain particularly vulnerable, with most attacks concentrated in Mbodlana Village, uMthatha, Port St Johns, and Tsolo.
Criminals are employing extreme violence, using firearms, hijacking company and personal vehicles, coercing employees into transferring cash, and even restraining them. These threats place Eskom personnel at severe risk of injury or loss of life while carrying out essential duties.
The consequences of these attacks extend beyond individual safety concerns. They contribute to the deterioration of public infrastructure, jeopardise energy security, disrupt electricity supply, result in financial losses, and create an unsafe work environment.
Eskom strongly condemns these violent acts and continues to work diligently with NATJOINTS to curb the crisis. However, should the situation persist, Eskom may be forced to withdraw its technicians from high-risk areas. This would inevitably lead to prolonged power outages and service disruptions, negatively affecting communities and businesses. The safety of Eskom employees is non-negotiable.
We urge local communities to collaborate with Eskom and law enforcement to tackle escalating crimes. Anyone with information is encouraged to report it to local authorities immediately or contact the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.
Eskom is committed to enhancing security measures but will cease operations in areas where employee safety is compromised. Protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of its employees is an urgent priority.
ENDS
