Pictured here: Eskom disconnecting power to a Randfontein cannabis farm, courtesy EWN.
Eskom on Monday, 9 February 2023, raided three farms in the Randfontein area deemed to be ‘high users’ of electricity.
Two of the farms were reportedly cannabis grow ops owned by a single farmer who Eskom claims is in arrears to the tune of R2,3 million. The unnamed farmer was arrested on a charge of drawing power through an illegal connection after he had previously been disconnected. He is also to face charges of meter-tampering.
Gauteng Eskom spokesperson Amanda Qithi said, the cannabis farms were among three raided on the West Rand on Monday as part of the utility’s drive to recover R7,7 billion in unpaid bills in the province.
Qithi, told EWN that power has been supplied to the farms, since the late 2000’s, and that they were first disconnected last September.
“After we had disconnected him and removed him from our infrastructure, he then went and reconnected himself, so he has been consuming electricity for free, then went to get people to reconnect him,” Qithi explained.
She said the properties would remain without power until the debt is cleared.
“When you have been issued a bill, you are given a specific date that you need to pay by, and if you do not pay, we start engaging you that you need to honour your payments, and if you do not, we will disconnect you, and in this case, we have had those conversations.”
SAPS have not yet confirmed the arrest and no further details are yet available.
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