Image Source: ESI Africa
Local – In conjunction with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Energy Safety & Security Priority Committee, Eskom is tackling a concerning surge in violent crimes against its employees.
Although there was a brief decrease earlier in the financial year, attacks have spiked since October 2024, putting staff at serious risk and disrupting essential services, particularly in the Eastern Cape.
“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.”
The situation escalated further on 4 January 2025 when an Eskom employee was shot and robbed during a hijacking along the N2 at Tsolo Junction.
This tragic incident stresses the dangers employees face, especially in areas like Mbodlana Village, uMthatha, Port St Johns, and Tsolo. These regions remain high-risk zones, particularly around electrification sites and employees travelling to and from work.
Eskom also reported that criminals are showing increasing levels of aggression. They stated that perpetrators are “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.”
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While cooperation with NATJOINTS has led to the recovery of assets worth R388,573, Eskom still faces significant financial losses of R2.6 million. The consequences, however, extend beyond monetary setbacks.
If these attacks persist, the power utility warns that it may have to withdraw technicians from the most dangerous areas. This could lead to prolonged power outages and service interruptions, affecting local communities and businesses.
“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 … The safety of Eskom employees is non-negotiable.”
As such, Eskom calls on local communities to collaborate with law enforcement to help combat these crimes. Anyone with information is urged to report it to local authorities or contact the Eskom Crime Line.
