Syndicates cracked for using 'ghost' electricity machines
The Hawks have arrested seven suspects between the age of 28 and 67 in Gauteng for the illicit sale of electricity.
This follows a joint operation between Eskom investigators and Free State Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team.
Hawks spokesperson Philani Nkwalase says the project driven investigation started in May last year in Bloemfontein, probing the illicit sale of electricity facilitated by illegal vendors who have in their possession illegal electricity vending machines.
“‘Ghost vending’ involves the illegal sales and purchases of electricity. The syndicates reportedly operate in groups nationally and generate income of approximately R150 000 to R250 000 per day from illicit sales of electricity. They are highly organized, well-equipped, closely networked and are difficult to track due to the fact that these machines do not transact on a network or at a single place, but are constantly roving. The suspects were allegedly responsible for selling illegal electricity to pre-paid customers,”says Nkwalase.
He says the illegal practice of selling prepaid electricity results in multi-million rand losses to Eskom per annum.
“This loss of revenue and the increase in non-technical losses contributes significantly to the electricity woes of the country. These arrests come at a time when the country has been plunged into load shedding due to the bleak power situation.”
During the arrest, one of the suspects allegedly enticed the arresting officers with R100 000 gratification and was additionally charged with corruption.
Other suspects were allegedly found in possession of illegal firearms as well as ammunition and were additionally charged accordingly.
“Several cell phones, laptops, sim cards, total cash amount of R714 800, seven luxury vehicles, electricity pre-paid vouchers and transaction records were seized for further investigation,”says Nkwalase.
Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter says the persistent and skillful work done by the Eskom Investigators and the Hawks, are ground-breaking and commendable.
“This will help restore confidence in Eskom, as we continue to fight the scourge of crime that plagues the Institution and the country. This is economic sabotage of the highest degree and the perpetrators of such crimes must be brought to book and dealt with to the full might of the law. We shall pursue the investigations together with the Hawks to ensure that the entire operations of the syndicate are disrupted.”
All the suspects are expected to appear in the Fochville Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
ALSO READ
