With South Africans having to worry about the recent increase in VAT, dangerous and illegal electricity connections are claiming the lives of children in Selosesha, Thaba Nchu in the Free State.

Many community members continue to connect electricity illegally. Residents ignore warnings that electricity is extremely powerful and can be deadly if not treated with care. Lindi Mthombeni, general manager of Eskom in the Free State said, the problem is that thieves connect electricity illegally which places children’s lives in danger.

The recent audit in Thaba Nchu has shown that 20 home owners were found to have tampered with their electricity meters. This not only impacts on Eskom’s revenue, but also poses dangers as the protection mechanisms are disabled and the meter will not pick up any electrical faults in the home.

Eskom urges members of the public across South Africa to report any unsafe conditions or illegal connections they come across by calling 08600 ESKOM (37566), and technical officials will attend to it as a matter of urgency.

By Lebogang Molefe