More illegal electricity connections in parts of Mpumalanga-south africa

Increasing electricity costs are turning households to illegal power connections.(SABC)

Increasing electricity costs are turning households to illegal power connections but this practice comes with life-threatening consequences.

In one Mpumalanga village hundreds of households are getting power illegally, according to residents.

A stone's throw away from the Mbombela stadium, stands a mushrooming informal settlement, with the majority of the people using illegally connected electricity.

Electricity cables running along the streets is an all too familiar scene in the area posing a danger to locals, especially children.

Electricity theft is now affecting those who pay for their power.

At least three power transformers have exploded in the past few weeks leaving the residents in huge crisis.

Power utility Eskom is losing billions of rand through electricity theft.

Eskom says they will comment about the issue at a later stage and address the communities in different parts of the province.