The silhouette of the evening electricity transmission pylon. Power transmission from a power plant to a city. Image: Archive Photo
Eskom closes Gauteng customer service hubs due to coronavirus outbreak
Eskom employees will continue to provide services to the customers through other electronic media channels due to coronavirus.
The silhouette of the evening electricity transmission pylon. Power transmission from a power plant to a city. Image: Archive Photo
Eskom will, with immediate effect, temporarily close all its Gauteng customer service hubs as a precautionary measure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The power utility took the decision on Friday 20 March, the same day the total number of coronavirus cases escalated from 150 to 202 — an increase of 52.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in the wake of coronavirus, encouraged businesses, just like Eskom, to safeguard their employees and take the necessary precautions.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize also echoed the president’s sentiments, saying:
“We must mobilise to fight infections. We must flatten the curve. Simple hygiene is key is fighting Covid-19. Please heed the call to follow precautionary measures.”
Mkhize also said that two-thirds of all South Africans will likely be infected with coronavirus at some stage.
“You need to understand that the virus can go and infect many people… it can go to about 60%. But it doesn’t mean that those people are going to die and it doesn’t mean that all of them are going to get it at the same time.
Zweli Mkhize
Eskom tries to contain spread of coronavirus
Eskom said in a statement that it can’t take the risk of employees or customers becoming infected with the coronavirus.
“This precautionary measure in Gauteng at this point is informed by a greater possibility of exposure to the virus which may affect both Eskom employees and customers,” it said.
“Eskom employees will, however, continue to provide services to the customers through other Eskom electronic media channels,” it added.
Eskom apologised in advance for any inconvenience the decision may cause.
“This is key in order to contain the possible spread of the virus that may ultimately affect our efforts to provide essential services,” it said.
Customers are advised to use Eskom’s contact centre by calling 0860-037-566 or SMS your query and account number/meter number to 35328 or email customerservices@eskom.co.za.
Employees arrested for illegal connection
In other Eskom news, two employees and a plot owner were arrested on Monday 16 March for allegedly connecting customers illegally using Eskom’s transformer and other material in the north of Johannesburg.
According to a statement released on Thursday 19 March, all three employees appeared briefly in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 18 March and they remain in custody.
Leads were later followed by an extensive investigation through collaboration between Eskom and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“This was part of an ongoing sting operation to deal with any criminality that seeks to undermine efforts to be efficient, contain costs, reduce theft-related energy losses, increase sales and collect revenue for services rendered,” said Eskom.
The arrests bring the total number of employees who were caught in similar unlawful activities to five since the beginning of the year.
