Latest news with #OVS
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Pup saved from starvation and shock. ‘Never seen a dog in such bad shape'.
A dog that was near death is showing off her strength, resilience and will to live with the help of a village of caring humans in Tulsa. When Fern was found, she was under the shadow of a dumpster, with her bones jutting out under her thin, dusty brown skin, photos show. But her eyes? Her eyes still had life as she looked at her rescuers. 'Tossed in the trash like garbage…like her life meant nothing,' the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals said in a hard-to-look-at Facebook post. 'Left to suffer alone in the sweltering heat…starving, dehydrated, forgotten. No food. No water. No compassion. Just a slow, cruel death sentence.' Fern was rescued by refuse workers in the area, and she was rushed in to Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists, the shelter said. What the vets found was even worse than they imagined. 'Earlier today, the vet treating Fern shared with us, fighting back tears, 'I've done this for so many years and have never seen a dog in such bad shape,'' the shelter said in an update on July 10. 'Her body was in shock, her temperature dangerously low, and she could only manage a few tablespoons of food and some water from a syringe.' Over the course of a few days, the shelter continued to update its followers on Fern's progress and even shared some good news regarding a possible home for her. 'This morning…we were deeply touched to hear from the refuse worker who found her,' the shelter said in a July 11 Facebook post. 'After helping to get her the urgent help she reached out to let us know he hasn't stopped thinking about her…and when she's ready…he hopes to adopt her and give her the loving home she's always deserved.' The veterinary team said that while it's hopeful about her recovery, she still has a long healing journey ahead of her. On July 15, the shelter shared some more excellent news about Fern. 'Today, for the first time since her rescue, Fern took assisted steps—and we're not sure there was a dry eye in the room. This moment, however small it might seem to some, is nothing short of a miracle for a dog who came to us barely clinging to life,' the shelter said in a post, along with a video of Fern walking. 'Her journey isn't over, but today proves just how strong her will to live is. With the help of the incredible ICU team at OVS and the love you've all poured into her story, Fern is slowly learning what it feels like to move through a world that's rooting for her.' To keep up with Fern's journey, visit the shelter's Facebook page.
The South African
15-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
Here's HOW much fraudulent ghost tokens cost ESKOM annually
Eskom has probed the illicit creation, transfer and use of ghost tokens in South Africa, and the numbers are worryingly high. Leaders say the state-owned entity needs to get on top of these illegal ghost tokens being distributed countrywide. Essentially, they allow the user free electricity, and it is costing Eskom and South African taxpayers billions annually. Electricity expert, Chris Yelland, believes these counterfeit ghost tokens cost Eskom as much as R27 billion every year. Additionally, this is over and above a recent investigation into procurement fraud at Eskom at the start of 2025. Investigators found R180 million in kickbacks for contracts at certain power stations. The state-run power utility absorbs the cost of ghost tokens three-fold. Image: File For those who are unaware, Eskom ghost tokens are created through unauthorised access to Eskom's Online Vending System (OVS). The aforementioned requires direct collusion with corrupt Eskom insiders. It has been reported that Eskom insiders have compromised the OVS to create and sell fraudulent ghost tokens. They are able to gain unauthorised access to the system and generate legitimate tokens. These are then sold to both suspecting and unsuspecting customers, often at a wildly discounted rate. Worse still, the money goes directly to the fraudsters … A lack of revenue, producing electricity for free and then redirecting resources to combat the scourge has seen prices increase 450% in two decades. Image: File Furthermore, because these ghost tokens are not tied to any legitimate transaction, the revenue generated does not go back to Eskom. Essentially, this doubles the overall revenue loss for government and ensures that ghost tokens are not a victimless crime. Plus, the state-owned entities efforts to address the constant breaches diverts critical resources away from keeping the lights on. Yellend further explains, in low-income areas like Soweto, as much as 80% of the electricity delivered by Eskom is not paid for. Municipal arrears from this persistent non-payment now exceeds R100 billion. The power utility needs to make this shortfall up somehow, often with the only recourse being increased tariffs for paying customers. Between 2007 and 2025, the cost of electricity has risen 450%. Free electricity is available to qualifying households, but the uptake is dropping each year. Image: File Meanwhile, Stats SA has revealed some telling data on the decline of indigent households taking advantage of Free Basic Services at the same time. Between 2014 to 2024, the number of residents getting free electricity dropped from 25% to 14%. And yet, 80% of South African households – an estimated 5.4-million residents – are eligible for the service but choose not to receive it. Some households qualify for 100% subsidies, while others only qualify for less, depending on the criteria set. On average, free basic electricity and water includes 50 kWh of power and 6 000 litres of water per month. Contact your local municipality for more details in your area if you think you qualify. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Eskom cracks down on fraudulent electricity tokens with new security upgrades
Eskom intensifies efforts to secure its prepaid electricity token system following the OVS breach, aiming to restore public trust and strengthen operational resilience. Image: Timothy Barnard /Independent Newspapers Eskom has announced decisive new actions to protect its customers following a major breach of its Online Vending System (OVS), which was exploited to generate and distribute fraudulent prepaid electricity tokens. The breach, revealed in Eskom's full-year 2024 financial results released in December, exposed critical weaknesses in both the physical and cybersecurity layers of the utility's infrastructure. The fraudulent activity, which threatened to undermine public trust in Eskom's prepaid electricity system, prompted an immediate and robust response from the state-owned utility. 'We uncovered weaknesses in physical and cybersecurity components on our OVS system,' said Monde Bala, Eskom's Group Executive for Distribution. Eskom has since launched a comprehensive review and intervention strategy to address these security gaps and strengthen its operations against future threats. 'Earlier this year, Eskom successfully strengthened the protection of its current systems against potential threats. All system enhancements are managed through a robust Change Management process that spans all divisions, ensuring consistent oversight and control,' explained Len De Villiers, Eskom's Chief Technology and Information Officer. To address the vulnerabilities that allowed the token fraud to occur, Eskom has reinforced its physical infrastructure and limited both physical and digital access points. Eskom has also strengthened internal controls to combat electricity theft and enhanced monitoring capabilities to ensure greater transparency and timely detection of suspicious activities. In parallel, Eskom has been working closely with law enforcement agencies to support ongoing investigations and ensure accountability. As part of this effort, internal employees who have been implicated have been placed on precautionary suspension pending further review. Furthermore, Eskom has engaged an external IT firm to strengthen in-house capabilities and improve risk management. The utility has also fast-tracked the acquisition of a new, secure vending system designed to replace the compromised OVS and prevent similar incidents in the future. Throughout this process, Eskom has maintained regular reporting to its board, which continues to provide oversight of all remediation efforts. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'We are fully aware of the challenges that have emerged within the OVS environment, and we have taken clear steps to address them. Our focus is on restoring trust, strengthening our systems, and ensuring that our customers can rely on a secure and efficient service," said Eskom's Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane. "This is not just a technical fix, it is part of a broader commitment to transparency, operational excellence and accountability.' While the investigation into the token fraud continues, Eskom has pledged to share the findings once the process is concluded and the appropriate time for disclosure has been determined. In the meantime, the utility has called on customers and stakeholders to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to prepaid electricity tokens. As Eskom moves forward with its efforts to protect its infrastructure and rebuild public confidence, it reassures South Africans that their electricity, and their trust, remain top priorities. IOL
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Eskom strengthens system against fraudulent tokens generation
State power utility Eskom says it has taken several steps to strengthen its systems against potential threats related to the generation of fraudulent prepaid tokens. In December 2024, the power utility disclosed, as part of its full-year 2024 financial results, a forensic report detailing the breach of its Online Vending System (OVS). 'The system was exploited to generate and distribute fraudulent prepaid electricity tokens, revealing critical vulnerabilities in both the physical and cybersecurity components of the utility's prepaid electricity infrastructure. 'In response, Eskom undertook a comprehensive review and intervention strategy aimed at mitigating these vulnerabilities and restoring system integrity,' Eskom said in a statement. Eskom Chief Technology and Information Officer, Len De Villiers, said the power utility has 'successfully strengthened the protection of its current systems against potential threats'. 'All system enhancements are managed through a robust Change Management process that spans all divisions, ensuring consistent oversight and control. These measures are part of Eskom's ongoing commitment to safeguarding operations and addressing identified vulnerabilities,' De Villiers said. The latest key actions implemented include: Internal controls to deal with electricity theft have been implemented. Measures to safeguard the system by reinforcing physical infrastructure and limiting both physical and digital access. Enhanced monitoring capabilities to ensure transparency and timely reporting. On-going collaboration with law enforcement agencies to support investigations and ensure accountability. As part of this process, internal employees who have been implicated have been placed on precautionary suspension pending further review. Augmented in-house capabilities, supported by an external Information Technology (IT) firm tasked to better manage risks and safeguard operations. Coordinated system upgrades through a structured change management process. Regular reporting to the Eskom Board, which has maintained oversight throughout the remediation process. Accelerated acquisition of a new. secure vending system, designed to replace the current OVS and prevent future incidents. Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, said: 'We are fully aware of the challenges that have emerged within the OVS environment, and we have taken clear steps to address them. 'Our focus is on restoring trust, strengthening our systems, and ensuring that our customers can rely on a secure and efficient service. This is not just a technical fix, it is part of a broader commitment to transparency, operational excellence and accountability.' Eskom, in conjunction with law enforcement, is investigating with the findings to be disclosed once complete. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Eskom announces stricter security measures following Online Vending System breach
Embattled power utility Eskom has announced new security and oversight measures for its prepaid electricity system Image: Supplied Embattled power utility Eskom has announced new security and oversight measures for its prepaid electricity system, aimed at strengthening its Online Vending System and improving control across its operations. The decision to implement the new measures comes after the release of a forensic report detailing a breach of the Online Vending System (OVS) in Eskom's full-year financial results for 2024, which were published in December 2024. According to the state-owned power utility, the system was exploited to create and distribute fraudulent prepaid electricity tokens. This incident highlighted significant vulnerabilities in both the physical and cybersecurity aspects of the utility's prepaid electricity infrastructure. In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday, Eskom said that it has undertaken a "comprehensive review and intervention strategy aimed at mitigating these vulnerabilities and restoring the integrity of the system." 'We uncovered weaknesses in physical and cybersecurity components on our OVS system,' Monde Bala, Eskom's Group Executive for Distribution, said. 'Earlier this year, Eskom successfully strengthened the protection of its current systems against potential threats. All system enhancements are managed through a robust Change Management process that spans all divisions, ensuring consistent oversight and control. Bala also stressed that the new measures are part of the utility's broader effort to safeguard operations and improve system integrity. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "These measures are part of Eskom's ongoing commitment to safeguarding operations and addressing identified vulnerabilities,' said Eskom's Chief Technology and Information Officer, Len De Villiers. Eskom's Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane, acknowledged the challenges facing the Online Vending System (OVS) and emphasised the utility's determined response. 'We are fully aware of the challenges that have emerged within the OVS environment and we have taken clear steps to address them. Our focus is on restoring trust, strengthening our systems, and ensuring that our customers can rely on a secure and efficient service. This is not just a technical fix, it is part of a broader commitment to transparency, operational excellence and accountability,' s Marokane said. Eskom added that it will continue to investigate and strengthen its systems and governance. "Eskom continues to investigate and strengthen its systems and governance, it calls on stakeholders and its customers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to prepaid electricity tokens". IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
