Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has stated that corruption and fraud at Eskom, the South African utility, are even worse than commonly acknowledged. While these issues are well-documented, they only represent a portion of the problems facing Eskom.
South Africa is facing a water crisis marked by poor water infrastructure, inadequate management, and criminal syndicates sabotaging critical pipelines. The Department of Water and Sanitation’s report revealed that half of the country’s drinking water is of poor quality.
Moody’s, a rating agency, stated in a research note that Eskom, the South African utility company, is unlikely to meet its performance targets due to mismanagement, coal supply issues, skills shortages, sabotage, and theft.
Eskom had set ambitious goals to improve its Energy Availability Factor (EAF) to 65% by March 2024 and 70% by March 2025, but currently, its fleet has an EAF of 57%. Moody’s emphasized that these targets are challenging given Eskom’s difficulties and track record.
Illegal electricity connections to Eskom’s grid have resulted in two stages of load-shedding and damage to infrastructure, according to Mashangu Xivambu, a senior manager at the utility.
Former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter and other whistleblowers have revealed how criminal networks involving high-profile politicians infiltrated all levels of Eskom’s operations, engaging in activities such as armed robbery, fuel theft, sabotage, and corruption.