Eskom successfully completed a joint operation to remove illegal electricity connections in Lion Park, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on 15 and 16 July 2026.
The operation was the culmination of intensive stakeholder engagement and careful planning. It was carried out with the support of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies, ensuring both the safety of employees and the protection of critical infrastructure.
The team effort resulted in the disconnection and removal of an elaborate illegal electricity network that had been connected to the Eskom grid without authorisation.
The following material was removed and confiscated:
• Over 20 000 metres of aluminium and bundled conductors
• 49 transformers
• Tonnes of illegally installed poles, and other electricity infrastructure
Since the Lion Park area has not been re-zoned from agricultural to residential land use and remains under the legal ownership and control of Trusts, Eskom is not legally able to electrify the area through a government-funded electrification programme. Any such programme is subject to prescribed legislative, planning and governmental approval processes, which must first be concluded before public funding can lawfully be considered or allocated. As a result, the only viable and legally permissible option currently available is the implementation of a customer-funded electrification scheme. To assist the Trusts in progressing with this option,Eskom prepared draft estimated quotations for the Trusts’ consideration.
The estimated quotations are based solely on an assessment of the properties using aerial imagery. To proceed further, as the legal custodians of the land, the Trusts are required to submit formal applications to Eskom. Upon receipt of the applications, Eskom will conduct the necessary assessments, issue formal quotations, and provide implementation timelines, subject to acceptance of the quotations and payment of the required charges. Furthermore, the legal custodians of the land, the Trusts, will be required to grant Eskom access to reticulate the areas by signing the necessary wayleave and servitude agreements.
Eskom remains committed to working constructively with the Trusts and all relevant stakeholders to achieve a lawful, sustainable and enduring solution for the electrification of the Lion Park area.