COPS, SCHOOLS AMONG ELECTRICITY THIEVES

MBABANE – Thievery knows no bounds as head teachers, police are among those caught stealing electricity.

They are among some opinion leaders in society who have been found on the wrong side of the law. 
The institutions and individuals, who have been reported to the Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC) are mostly in the civil service and schools.

Three schools that have been identified for stealing power – this is despite that schools are meant to instil responsibility among pupils and honesty.
Sifiso Dhlamini, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager at SEC confirmed that theft of electricity power was rampant in the country.
He did not want to mention the entities but noted that many people and institutions were guilty.

He said this cost the entity over E5 million a month, money that could be diverted to improve the electricity infrastructure in the country.
“Whenever someone steals electricity, they are not just stealing from SEC but the company’s consumers as well.”
Dhlamini noted that the company embarked on disconnections in the fight against illegal connections.

“Yes, we disconnect those who are illegally connected; however, due to client-customer confidentiality, I can’t divulge much.”
It has been established that among the entities that had their electricity supply terminated are business establishments including mortuaries, high schools, and farmers’ cooperatives.
When one of the head teachers from the high schools was contacted, he pleaded ignorance as to who illegally connected the meter.
He said he was not aware what transpired as this might have been done without his knowledge.

Meanwhile, the Swaziland Principals Association (SWAPA) Deputy President Welcome Mhlanga said he was not aware that desperation had pushed some head teachers to such levels.
Mhlanga noted that schools had financial challenges given the delayed payment of Free Primary Education grants while bills were piling.
However, he said engaging in criminal activities was not an option as that would bring disrepute to the schools.

“Head teachers facing financial or any other challenges should report those quagmires to the Regional Education Officer than to take short cuts.”
He made an example of head teachers going to money lenders to pay for certain essentials as something that should not happen.
“There should be no deals to keep the school afloat.”

Mhlanga said if schools were forced to stop operating due to the challenges they faced, they should do so than to bring shame to themselves.
He reiterated that head teachers should report that FPE grant delays brought financial struggles than to be delinquents who steal electricity.
Also, Chief Police Information and Communication Officer Superintendent Khulani Mamba scorned upon such aberrant act.

He said tampering with electrical meters was not just dangerous but it was a criminal offence. “Illegal connections are an offence and we warn people to buy electricity units than to tamper with meters.”
When informed that among those who are guilty of stealing electricity were police officer, he expressed shock and noted that they brought disrepute to the profession as they were supposed to uphold the law.
“It’s worse if they are police as they know that criminal acts are not welcome in the police force.”

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