Rich people part of South Africa's electricity theft problem

[Hanno Labuschagne]

Rich people part of South Africa's electricity theft problem

Many affluent households that can afford to pay for their power are among the estimated 2.1 million electricity thieves, costing Eskom and municipalities billions of rand in lost revenue annually.

Pretoria metering company Impact Services has told Rapport's Hanlie Retief that the firm identifies illegal connections in the affluent Waterkloof neighbourhood every week.

 

[Longboi]

So they calling Solar and batteries an "illegal connection" now eh.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

So they calling Solar and batteries an "illegal connection" now eh.

About how it works these days. Charge those who are paying, more and more, while doing nothing about those who are not paying. Till no one pays, because no one, can afford to pay.

Very sound African management practice

 

[Adeptus Mechanicus]

No ****.

The culture of non-payment is rife amongst those who can afford to pay. Whether that be their monthly car installment, their clothing accounts, their levies, taxes, etc.

Just further evidence of the "live for today" mentality a large swath of South African people have adopted.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

No ****.

The culture of non-payment is rife amongst those who can afford to pay. Whether that be their monthly car installment, their clothing accounts, their levies, taxes, etc.

Just further evidence of the "live for today" mentality a large swath of South African people have adopted.

Unfortunately very true.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Rich people part of South Africa's electricity theft problem

Many affluent households that can afford to pay for their power are among the estimated 2.1 million electricity thieves, costing Eskom and municipalities billions of rand in lost revenue annually.

Pretoria metering company Impact Services has told Rapport's Hanlie Retief that the firm identifies illegal connections in the affluent Waterkloof neighbourhood every week.

What exactly is the point here? Apart from the usual rich vs poor whataboutisms that some members just absolutely love.

An illegal connection or electricity theft is what it is...regardless if it's poor or rich stealing.

 

[Scooby_Doo]

I know of a few people who consume R7k a month - but they are by passing the connection partially resulting in only 50% being metered.

Edit, so without the bypass they should be paying R14/15k per month.

 

[maumau]

I know of a few people who consume R7k a month - but they are by passing the connection partially resulting in only 50% being metered.

That is despicable

How do they do it? Asking for a friend.

 

[Scooby_Doo]

That is despicable

How do they do it? Asking for a friend.

They bribed a Eskom employee.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Rich people part of South Africa's electricity theft problem

Many affluent households that can afford to pay for their power are among the estimated 2.1 million electricity thieves, costing Eskom and municipalities billions of rand in lost revenue annually.

Pretoria metering company Impact Services has told Rapport's Hanlie Retief that the firm identifies illegal connections in the affluent Waterkloof neighbourhood every week.

Also: only 2.1 million electricity thieves?? Pull the other one please.

 

[TheChamp]

So they calling Solar and batteries an "illegal connection" now eh.

Not at all, they are just saying rich people who can afford to pay for electricity are also stealing electricity, not really something that's unthinkable.

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/city-power-cuts-electricity-of-dainfern-residents-who-owe-r13m-due-to-illegal-connections-and-bridged-meters-cb4c546f-483f-4a77-b1b5-825f489510af

 

[quovadis]

The fine for bypassing a domestic meter is like R6k. Not much of an incentive. The truly rich have mostly moved on from Eskom so not sure why this is a rich vs poor thing.

 

[Brian_G]

...Just further evidence of the "live for today" mentality a large swath of South African people have adopted.

Other types too, like those who think they see a gap to get away with cheating and do that. And yes, so far they usually do keep getting away with it.

 

[spiff]

They steal because electricity is unjustly expensive, thanks to Eskom gross incompetence and miss management.

At least they not stealing 100%

 

[Mike Angelo]

There is usually a reason for people being rich or appearing to be so. Theft and non payment are 2 of them.

 

[Adenoid Hynkel]

The fine for bypassing a domestic meter is like R6k. Not much of an incentive. The truly rich have mostly moved on from Eskom so not sure why this is a rich vs poor thing.

The fine is 6-14k depending on area. Plus they'll backdate consumption.

 

[TheChamp]

The fine for bypassing a domestic meter is like R6k. Not much of an incentive. The truly rich have mostly moved on from Eskom so not sure why this is a rich vs poor thing.

I agree it should simply be a matter between those who can afford to pay and those who can't.

And Eskom can pursue criminal charges on top of that R6k perhaps a criminal record would be a deterrent enough.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

I agree it should simply be a matter between those who can afford to pay those who can't.

And Eskom can pursue criminal charges on top of that R6k perhaps a criminal record would be a deterrent enough.

What do you mean by that?

 

[Priapus]

Rich people part of South Africa's electricity theft problem

Many affluent households that can afford to pay for their power are among the estimated 2.1 million electricity thieves, costing Eskom and municipalities billions of rand in lost revenue annually.

Pretoria metering company Impact Services has told Rapport's Hanlie Retief that the firm identifies illegal connections in the affluent Waterkloof neighbourhood every week.

Government steals everyone’s monies. Regardless of their financial status.

So, not surprised some are stealing back from the government.

 

[FiestaST]

I'm also struggling to understand/see the point of this article or approach