Tshwane plans to implement strategic measures to enhance security and mitigate the impact of the escalating vandalism and theft at substations.
MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Kholofelo Morodi said the city was committed to improving safety of the Centurion electrical equipment.
“The city is working tirelessly to enhance security measures while collaborating closely with law enforcement to address these issues,” Morodi stated.
She also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said that the estimated cost of damage that has been caused by these acts in the metro amounts to R1-million.
He said substation maintenance is taking place subject to the plans of the time.
“As soon as finances are stable, the city will procure new minisubs and panels.”
Substation vandalism and theft of electrical equipment continue to be a significant concern for residents in Centurion.
Recent theft at the mini substation in Alethea Street, Die Hoewes on January 1 have left residents in the dark,
The thieves stripped the substation of vital equipment, impacting the electricity supply in the area.
Ward 57 Councillor David Farquharson explained that subsequent power supply restorations often lead to additional outages.
He implored residents to report any criminality.
Farquharson also criticised the national government for its failure to ban the copper trade, which fuels these criminal activities.
“These criminals are heartless and don’t care about other people. The [street market] value of the stolen copper was estimated at R200,” he added.
Another mini substation in Unie Avenue, Lyttelton, was also vandalised during the first week of January, leaving it without locks and handles and with parts scattered inside.
In December, several other substations were targeted, including the SSG Substation in Centurion CBD, the Rooihuiskraal Substation, and the Eldoraigne Substation.
At the time, Mashigo noted that the only affordable and long-term solution would be a national ban of the copper and aluminium scrap trade, as it would be the most effective way to prevent further incidents.
“The city has also taken steps to replace copper cables with aluminium cables, which are less appealing to thieves.
“The new wave of vandalism and cable theft in Region 4 varies from streetlight cable theft, meter box vandalism, low- and medium-voltage cable and switchgear theft, as well as major infrastructure theft.”
Community efforts to address these challenges are under way in Ward 69, as Councillor Cindy Billson recently told Rekord that AfriForum has installed cameras at the Eldoraigne substation and along key routes for monitoring.
She said discussions have been ongoing to instal additional camera systems at the entrances of substations to enhance surveillance and deter criminal activity.
“When these criminals do try to steal and vandalise the substation, they will be spotted because there are just two entrances.”
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
