Eskom to audit illegal connections in Imbali
Eskom and residents of Imbali in Pietermaritzburg have come to some agreement following tensions over electricity supply.
Last month, the power utility tried to carry out an audit in the area to establish who exactly is on its grid legally and who's connecting illegally.
Staff, who were sent in to do the audit, were threatened and forced to turn back.
It prompted the power utility to switch off the lights as dictated by its policy. The area is serviced directly by Eskom.
READ: Eskom is negotiating in bad faith, says NUMSA
The utility's Joyce Zingoni says they've since held meetings with residents, facilitated by community leaders.
She says residents raised their grievances while the audit was given the green light.
"They didn't want Eskom to cut off electricity for non-payment and that was an issue with Eskom.
"So, Eskom asked the community leaders to allow Eskom to audit so that we would be able to distinguish between electricity buyers and non-buyers.
"Those that are found guilty, they are asked to pay a fine and once the fine is paid then reconnection will happen."
