Eskom warns political parties against putting up posters
Eskom on Monday warned political parties not to attach election campaign posters to any of its infrastructure, including street poles and mini-sub-stations, as it was physically dangerous.
South African voters will go to the polls on Wednesday, 3 August, to vote in the local government elections and campaigning is in full swing.
Eskom said the practice of placing election posters on street poles and mini-substations was dangerous and only authorized personnel were allowed to climb or work on these structures.
"Eskom would like to remind all political parties of the dangers associated with putting up election posters on electrical structures. These structures are carrying live electrical equipment and conductors," Eskom said in a statement.
"When someone gets close to them or touches them it may result in a flash-over or electrical contact. This can cause serious injuries or even be fatal."
Eskom said attaching posters to an electrical structure was not only a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, but also put the lives of employees and volunteers at risk.
"Only authorised personnel are allowed to climb or work on these structures. Should someone come into contact with electricity while attaching posters to electrical structures, you will be exposed to litigation, both from a criminal and civil liability point of view," Eskom said.
Eskom said it cared about the safety of the public and therefore asked campaigners to refrain from attaching posters to electrical structures to avoid injury and loss of lives.