CAMPERDOWN, KwaZulu-Natal — Eskom has disconnected nearly 2,000 illegal electricity connections in Lion Park, Camperdown, following an intensive two-day operation aimed at dismantling an unauthorized power network that has cost the utility an estimated R12 million to R14 million annually since 2014.
The extensive operation involved the removal of transformers and other infrastructure that had been illegally tapped into the utility’s grid. Officials noted the sheer scale and sophistication of the unauthorized network, adding that some of the recovered equipment was suspected to have been stolen directly from Eskom and its service providers. To maintain order, the utility partnered with law enforcement, who maintained a strong presence in the area after disgruntled community members barricaded major roads with burning tyres, stones, and rubble in an attempt to halt the disconnections.
While protesting residents concede that the connections are unauthorized, they dispute the narrative that they deliberately refused to legalize their electricity supply. Community members argue they have spent years submitting applications and attending meetings to secure formal connections. However, these efforts have reportedly been stalled by ongoing land ownership and zoning disputes with the local trust that administers the agricultural land.
Residents warn that the sudden loss of power will have a devastating impact, particularly during the cold winter months. Community leaders highlighted severe daily hardships, including the need to wake at 4:00 a.m. to start fires for heating water and preparing children for school. The inability to stock food or use electrical appliances means children may miss sports and extracurricular activities to complete homework while daylight remains. Furthermore, leaders warned of new safety hazards, as families unfamiliar with open flames may resort to using candles, significantly increasing the risk of destructive house fires and loss of life.
Addressing the operation, Dade Mbhele, Senior Manager for Retail at Eskom, stated that the disconnections followed months of careful planning. Mbhele emphasized that illegal networks tamper with the quality of supply and compromise the safety of the grid, putting the lives of Eskom technicians at serious risk.
Because the land is zoned as agricultural, Mbhele explained that Eskom is legally limited to engaging only with the trust that oversees the area, rather than individual residents. The utility had previously proposed a temporary bulk supply solution to meter the area’s consumption while the trust worked toward long-term residential rezoning, but this offer was not accepted. Despite the disconnections, Mbhele affirmed that Eskom’s doors remain open to working with the trust and the community to convert illegal users into legal, paying customers.
The operation has also drawn attention to the stark socioeconomic contrasts within Lion Park, which features a mix of informal dwellings and multi-million-rand mansions complete with double stories and swimming pools. Eskom expressed particular concern that affluent residents, who can easily afford to pay for electricity, have been illegally bypassing the system for years. Among the large properties affected, one massive home is believed to be owned by a well-known South African personality, though the utility is still seeking confirmation regarding the ownership.
Mbhele confirmed that the Camperdown action is not an isolated incident. Eskom recently conducted a similar large-scale disconnection operation in Claremont and is actively using intelligence to identify and dismantle illegal connections in other areas, including unauthorized agricultural power use by farmers across multiple provinces. The utility reiterated its commitment to securing the national grid and ensuring a reliable, safe quality of supply for paying customers.
