Eskom says crime-related incidents fell 13% during the year, while losses dropped to R191 million, as the power utility strengthens efforts to protect infrastructure and improve operations
Power utility Eskom has revealed that 505 people were arrested for crimes targeting its infrastructure in the year to March 2026, as the utility steps up efforts to tackle theft, vandalism and sabotage.
Eskom said crime-related incidents fell by 13% during the year, while estimated losses declined by 18% to R191 million. Recoveries increased by 38% to R34 million, although only 13 convictions have been recorded.
The figures were released as Eskom reported a second consecutive profitable year, with group profit after tax more than doubling to R30.3 billion from R14 billion in the previous year.
"Crime-related risks such as the theft of electrical cable, coal, diesel and fuel oil, as well as illegal connections, meter tampering, ghost vending, infrastructure vandalism and sabotage, continue to threaten primary energy security, operational performance, revenue protection and financial sustainability."
