Electricity Safety Month: 200 Deaths Reported as Eskom Urges Action Against Illegal Connections

August 10, 2025

Eskom Reports 200 Electricity-Related Deaths as Safety Month Launches

Eskom has launched its annual Electricity Safety Month campaign this August, revealing that 200 public injuries and fatalities were reported last year due to electrical incidents. The power utility warns that many more casualties likely go unreported as communities protect illegal connections.

The month-long awareness campaign aims to reduce electricity-related accidents through public education and promoting safe practices in homes, workplaces, and communities across South Africa.

Rising Criminal Activity Compounds Safety Concerns

Miranda Moahlodi, Eskom's Senior Manager for Health and Safety, highlighted the troubling trends: "It is genuinely distressing to think that many electricity-related injuries and deaths go unreported to Eskom because communities feel compelled to protect the illegal connections responsible for these incidents."

According to Moahlodi, criminal activities targeting electrical infrastructure are also increasing, with more cases of vandalism, cable theft, and even attacks on Eskom staff being recorded.

Fire Risks in Communities

Improperly installed electrical lines and tampered connections rank among the leading causes of devastating fires in both informal settlements and residential areas across South Africa. These incidents not only destroy homes but disrupt entire communities.

Eskom emphasizes that early reporting of electrical hazards could prevent many of these tragedies.

Call for Community Vigilance

The utility is urging all South Africans to take responsibility for electrical safety by reporting hazards such as:

• Dangling or low-hanging wires
• Open electrical boxes
• Unsafe connections running through trees
• Exposed wires on streets or rooftops

"We appeal to communities to help us curb the aggression and violence that Eskom employees are subjected to. Like everyone else, we also have families waiting for us at home after work," Moahlodi added.

Outlook: Safety Beyond August

While August features concentrated awareness efforts, Eskom indicates that electrical safety remains a year-round priority. The utility faces ongoing challenges with illegal connections and infrastructure tampering that create persistent safety hazards.

The 200 reported casualties represent only documented incidents, with the actual number likely much higher given the reluctance in some communities to report illegal connection-related accidents.

Without significant improvements in compliance and public reporting, safety incidents are expected to continue at concerning levels, particularly in areas with widespread illegal connections.

How to Report Electrical Hazards

Eskom has provided multiple channels for reporting unsafe electrical conditions or criminal activities affecting power infrastructure:

• Eskom Crime Line: 0800 11 27 22
• Email: crime@eskom.co.za
• SMS: 31090

The public is encouraged to monitor Eskom's official social media channels and website for additional electrical safety information throughout the month.

Key Terms Explained

Illegal connections: Unauthorized connections to the electricity grid, bypassing meters or tapping directly into power lines, which are both dangerous and illegal.

Infrastructure vandalism: Deliberate damage to electrical equipment like transformers, substations, and power lines, often for the purpose of stealing valuable components.

Cable theft: The stealing of electrical cables (usually copper) from power infrastructure, causing outages and creating serious safety hazards.