Electricity theft in south africa pdf

Power theft is also prevalent in developed countries like the usa and britain. By thobile mbanjwa a dissertation submitted in fulfilment. The thesis will provide enough information to utility companies and governments to invest on new alternatives to decrease the rates of electricity theft and raise the inclusiveness of the favelas dwellers. However, mentions picked up slightly between 2014 and 2016. An insight into the threat landscape of south africa. Pdf cable theft and vandalism by employees of south africa. Another example of electricity theft is meter tampering, where an electricity user bypasses eskoms meter to avoid paying for the electricity they use. For example, in 1998, losses due to electricity theft in the us were estimated at between 1 to 10 billion dollars smith 2003. To explore and to describe the extent and the impact of copper cable theft. Mpumalanga is a beautiful region with vistas of mountains and lush green valleys.

This is how people steal electricity in south africa. It has an impact on the citys communication network, electricity supply, and railway and traffic. Pricing electricity blackouts among south african households. Oct 31, 20 an internal audit of the consumption by a particular unit in a complex by checking meters, as compared to the metered consumption for that unit, could also reveal that electricity theft is taking place.

Challenges and opportunities in south african and german. However, recent studies suggest that social structures emerging from most south africans believe that the major cause of crime in south africa is poverty. Jun 02, 2015 in south africa, electricity theft is on a steady incline due to the high rate of unemployment and poverty, resulting in stateowned power utility eskom losing billions every year. Drawing on a theoretical research approach involving the examination. Jan 18, 2015 as with other forms of electricity theft, this happens in communities all over south africa examples of meter tampering are shown in the images below. May 27, 2016 thus theft and vandalism of electricity and the electricity infrastructure equate to serious economic sabotage. This monograph is the contribution of the public servants association psa to assisting workers and the wider society make sense of the intricacies of south africa s national electricity crisis. South africa plans to diversify its electricity generation mix. On the other hand, less developed countries are characterized with high nontechnical and revenue losses. Informal electrification in south africa urban energy support. Our results show that electricity theft is substantial in magnitude. Apr 09, 2012 we study the politics of electricity theft over a ten year period 200009. Tapping off a nearby paying consumer, damage done to meter enclosures, and using. Things to do with kids best beaches best surfing best dive destinations best golf resorts kruger n.

Cable theft is a major problem in south africa with a huge impact on the overall economy. The researchers draw on the reasoned action theory tra and the theory of planned behaviour tpb to explain the involvement of electricity utility companies own employees in vandalism and theft of electricity copper cables. Electricity theft ratio averages for the period of 20022010 on provincial basis. Broad horizons are interrupted only briefly by a smat. In africa, eastern europe, and latin america, energy ranks third in expenditures for households in this socio. South africa what to pack clothing and supplies tips. South africa what to pack one of the most beautiful regions of all the world, south africa is a place where you can visit a game safari in the morning and be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more.

There are five primary objectives in this research. Cable theft and vandalism by employees of south africa s electricity utility companies. It defines a desired destination where inequality and unemployment are reduced and poverty is eliminated so that all south africans can attain a decent standard of living. Dec 02, 2020 the theft of electric power is one of the main problems faced by distribution utilities in developing countries, in particular in many countries in africa, latin america, and south asia 123. South africas electricity crisis 2 continues, the more severe will be its impact on economic growth and workers. If tried and convicted in our courts, criminals are now getting a minimum of ten years imprisonment. Electricity theft has been seen as crime for a long time. Distribution companies without theft control operations, routinely report growth rates. Some south african municipal distributors have been grappling with the issue of providing electricity to informal households for over 15 years, and a significant body of experience has developed regarding how. Regardless of the close to r7 billion theft by overcharging eskom r7. This country has some of the biggest reserves of gold, manganese, coal, platinum, diamonds, va. The south african energy landscape has recently witnessed a number of announcements, some of the increases and some of the decreases on electricity theft.

Apart from the cost of the theft other maintenance costs are. South africa s electricity sector is undergoing a multifaceted transformation brought about by energy security concerns, rising electricity prices, the emergence of renewable energy technologies and the introduction of independent power producers. A place of big skies and open pastureland, the free state is ideal for a road trip. South africa is the 7th largest coal producer in the world. How to deal with electricity theft guest experts, advice. Around 77% of south africa s energy comes from local coal. On 29 september 2016 he and colleagues went back to glen and during their investigations they found more fcc cables were. Electricity theft is one of the most serious but under reported crimes in south africa in spite of the fact that the country loses at least r20 billion a year to electricity theft, three quarters of which is reported to be losses suffered by municipalities. This site uses cookies to optimize functionality and give you the best possible experience. In this dissertation, the international and national perspectives reveal the nature and. Consumer demands, insufficient power generation, and the theft of electrical wire and other equipment often interfere with the governmentowned utilities ability to supply power. The south african energy sector is dominated by coal, which is plentiful and cheap, and is ranked among the lowest energy costs in the world.

Box 19282, dubai, united arab emirates abstract electricity theft can be in the form of fraud meter tampering, stealing illegal connections, billing irregularities, and unpaid bills. Wind energy is a potential source of commercial energy in some parts, but like other renewable energy technologies, it struggles to. Electricity theft is the criminal practice of stealing electrical power. By thobile mbanjwa a dissertation submitted in fulfilment of. Electricity theft is a global issue affecting a lot of countries around the world. The remaining 6% is supplied by municipal power stations and the private sector. Homegrown innovators are facing a brain drain and battling a funding squeeze. In years when elections to the state assembly are held, electricity theft is signi.

South africa is facing a major problem with copper theft and has a negative impact on all citizens. This article considers the fundamental elements which characterise the german and south african energy markets, highlights the challenges which. Here is a look at the scourge of electricity theft in the country. Eskom purchases only 8% of the electricity distributed by it from local and independent power producers. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the funder, ersa or the authors affiliated institutions. Africa s facing a major problem with theft and has a negative impact on all ns. From a financial perspective, es ble theft and vandalism in south africa in recent kom and transnet have collectively lost r1. The electricity reform process will take place over several years, and will ensure that south africa has an appropriate electricity supply system capable of responding to the demands of a rapidly evolving world, to which south africa, if it is to compete, needs to be responsive. The extent of theft varies with the electoral cycle of the state. Yet south africa has launched a cuttingedge radio telescope that scans the universe, opened atmstyle medicine dispensers and tackled cape towns drought with cl. Therefore, it retains a monopoly over the generation and transmission of electricity in south africa. Some punishments for the crime include fines and incarceration, and it belongs to the nontechnical losses. The four, who collectively faced over 36 000 charges related to electricity theft, were found guilty on 16 451 counts. South africa s abundant sunshine is only beginning to be tapped in more remote areas for electricity generation for domestic and institutional application.

Smith department of social and behavioral sciences, zayed university, p. Most south africans believe that the major cause of crime in south africa is poverty. Using technology alone to find a solution is not adequate because crime is a socioeconomic challenge and not a technical problem. South africa s primary electricity supplier, eskom, periodically conducts load shedding rolling. The study shows that electricity theft is strongly related to governance indicators, and that higher levels of electricity theft persists in countries with less effective accountability, political instability, low government effectiveness and higher corruption. Will south africa go without electricity after massive. South africa is rich in minerals, and it supplies a large amount of the worlds production of these minerals thanks to an active mining industry. Electricity theft is the difference between the power supplied and users consumption, in the distribution system. Jan 14, 2015 stolen electricity in pe meter tampering. The animals have competition from the countrys rampant culture, food, design, fashion and arts scenes. The power theft is categorized as the nontechnical losses. Efficient utilization and conservation of energy is the major priority of all. In this paper effect of power theft on distribution of power is analyzed. Pdf cable theft and vandalism by employees of south.

The supreme court of appeal has held that a person who receives monies into his bank account in his name, knowing that he is not entitled thereto and who uses them commits theft. Since 2016 there has been a much higher focus on south africa among the criminal underground. Jul 12, 20 cable theft and vandalism by employees of south africa s electricity utility companies. Report the matter to the south african police services, if there is an illegal connection. Jun 01, 2015 electricity theft is not only costing south africa billions each year, it is also costing people their lives. Electricity theft in south africa is out of control. It has an impact on the citys communication network, electricity supply and raitway and traffic services. The paper discusses the power theft problem occurring in the indian scenario and the problems associated with it. Dec 01, 2015 despite the similarity, the map of average electricity theft ratios of provinces of turkey below shows us a different pattern especially for the southeastern part of turkey with high electricity theft.

To revisit this article, visit my profile, then view saved stories. Cable theft in tshwane the municipality in south africa. Data was collected from literature sources as well as from security professionals combating copper theft. The country consumed 227 twh of electricity in 2018. This dissertation focuses on the phenomenon of copper cable theft within the gauteng province of south africa. See nissan south africa pty limited v marnitz no and others stand 1 at 6 aeroport pty limited intervening, 2005 1 sa 441 sca at paragraphs 24 and 25. Mentions of south africa between 2010 and 2020 on dark web 250 200 150 100 50 0 010 1 1 012 0 3 4. Apart from coal, which contributed around 69% to the total primary energy supply in 2016, south africa gets energy locally from biomass, such as wood. Its a prime target for outdoor enthusiasts, who head he. South africa s national development plan ndp 2030 offers a longterm plan for the country. Ersa shall not be liable to any person for inaccurate information or opinions contained herein. The vast majority of south africa s electricity was produced from coal, with the fuel responsible for 88% of production in 2017. Theft nontechnical losses water and electricity public. Crafty criminals have found sophisticated ways of stealing electricity.

Jun 27, 2017 the south african energy landscape has recently witnessed a number of announcements, some of the increases and some of the decreases on electricity theft. The estimated loss due to copper theft is approximately r5 billion per year with ethekwini electricity contributing r60 million to that loss. Electricity is one of the core elements of a decent standard of living. South africa abstract in this paper, the researchers argue that unravelling perceptions and attitudes of relevant employees towards theft and vandalism is critical to stemming electric cable theft. Combating power theft by mary parker, pagemark africa combating power theft initiative using pelta code through kwh meter authentication and its trackandtrace application electricity theft is costing subsaharan africa billions of rands per year 1. Theft and vandalism of electricity the zimbabwean story by thandiwe s. Electricity power theft prevention techniques, working. The theft of electric power is one of the main problems faced by distribution utilities in developing countries, in particular in many countries in africa, latin america, and south asia 123. Crafty criminals have found sophisticated ways of stealing electricity in a number of ways. South africa is said to be losing approximately r20 billion yearly due to electricity theft, three quarters of which is reported to be losses suffered by municipalities.

Lung cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide because of inadequate tobacco control policies. How much do power sector distortions cost south asia. As of july 2018, south africa had a coal power generation capacity of. South africa has a large energy sector, being the secondlargest economy in africa. These are 20 of the best things to do in south africa, including swimming with sharks, teeing off at top golf courses, and more with a map. The purpose of the fcc cables is to feed electricity from the feeder to the contact wires. A theoretical explanation and research agenda may 2014 journal of social sciences 392. Section 51 of electricity act, 2003 as amended by electricity amendment act, 2007, theft of electricity is defined as, whoever dishonestly, a taps. South africa needs over 40,000 mw new generation capacity by 2025 eskom is part of southern african power pool, a group of utilities in the region aiming to create a common market for electricity in the region transmission and distribution overview currently, the transmission of electricit y in south africa is undertaken by eskom. Thus theft and vandalism of electricity and the electricity infrastructure equate to serious economic sabotage. The case study of kwaximba in ethekwini, kwazulunatal by thobile mbanjwa 212506428 a dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of. The amount of power theft in india varies with different states. The existing inherent problems with the postpaid system and privatization of state held.