Eskom is South Africa’s national electricity utility. It supplies many customers directly and sells bulk electricity to municipalities, which then resell it to their own residents. Which of the two supplies you determines who you contact.
Eskom contact details
| National Call Centre / Customer Services | 0860 037 566, also shown as 08600 ESKOM |
| Report fraud, corruption and illegal activities (Whistle-Blowing Hotline) | 0800 112 722 |
| Western Cape supply area | 0860 037 566, [email protected], or SMS 35328 |
| Postal address | Office of the Company Secretary, PO Box 1091, Johannesburg, 2000 |
Sources: eskom.co.za and capetown.gov.za. Note that eskom.co.za obscures most of its email addresses, so we publish only those confirmed in readable form.
Have this ready before you call
Eskom asks callers to have the following on hand: your account number, meter number, pole number, address details and contact details.
The pole number is the one people usually do not have. It is the number marked on the electricity pole nearest your property, and it lets Eskom pinpoint your connection on the network far faster than an address alone. If you can safely read it before calling, do.
Are you an Eskom or a municipal customer
Check the supplier named on your electricity bill or prepaid purchase receipt. If it says Eskom, contact Eskom. If the charge appears on a municipal account alongside water and rates, your municipality is the supplier and Eskom cannot help with faults, billing or connections.
This catches people out because Eskom supplies areas inside metro boundaries too, so living in a large city does not mean your supplier is the municipality. Reporting to the wrong one is the most common reason a fault report goes nowhere.
Safety and fraud
Never approach a fallen power line, an open substation or a sparking meter box, and never attempt or pay for an illegal connection. Illegal connections kill people and are a criminal offence.
Report suspected fraud, corruption or illegal electricity activity on the Whistle-Blowing Hotline, 0800 112 722. Buy prepaid electricity only from legitimate vendors, and never from someone offering discounted tokens.
Related pages
- Eskom fault reporting contact number
- Eskom customer care number
- Eskom power outage contact number
- Eskom prepaid electricity contact details
- Eskom fraud contact details
FAQs
- What is the Eskom contact number? The National Call Centre is 0860 037 566, also shown as 08600 ESKOM.
- What is a pole number and why does Eskom want it? It is the number marked on the pole nearest your property, and it pinpoints your connection on the network faster than an address.
- How do I report electricity theft or corruption? The Whistle-Blowing Hotline on 0800 112 722.