According to the Sasolburg-based Metsimaholo Local Municipality’s spokesperson, Gino Alberts, since the beginning of the year, cables worth over R1,9 million were stolen, plunging many houses and businesses into darkness for many days, sometimes for weeks. He says the figure excludes the cost of the actual repair work to the infrastructure and material. Most of the incidents allegedly happens during the night and in some cases, the perpetrators were not found. Alberts says the cable theft not only costs the municipality millions in lost revenue but it also inconveniences customers and businesses, especially small businesses.

Meanwhile, the mayor of the same municipality, Jeff Zwane, has called on residents of Metsimaholo to be vigilant and report these crimes.

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He has since condemned the vandalism and theft of electrical infrastructure and cables in the municipal area. Zwane also expressed concern over the increase in the number of electrical cable theft in various areas over the past weeks. Zwane has further called on law enforcement agencies, the SAPS, neighbourhood watches, and communities to assist to curb the scourge. It’s alleged that at least two suspects were arrested, and others are still at large and continue to operate.

“The whole country has been experiencing load-shedding due to failures and no maintenance of the infrastructure, and the Metsimaholo Municipality has not been spared. The municipality does its best to replace and fix the infrastructure when these horrendous incidents happen. Residents of Metsimaholo are encouraged to be vigilant and report these crimes to Metsimaholo Public Safety: 076 925 9177 or South African Police Service (SAPS): 10111," Zwane further added.

The South African government, through communication platforms, recently indicated that cable theft is one of the main reasons for constant power outages. South Africans have since been asked to report cable theft to SAPS/Eskom Crime Line 0800 11 27 22 (toll-free), or the local municipality.

ALSO READ: 'Unauthorised electricians play a role in cable theft'

Recently, Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke announced that municipalities across the province have gone backwards in meeting project deadlines for infrastructure projects.

In her report, she said in 2016-17, only 10% did not meet project deadlines, but this had increased to 60% in 2020-21. “For example, at Metsimaholo, the project for installing 4 000 sewerage connections was delayed by almost two years due to poor planning. During the course of the project, additional houses needing sewerage connections were also identified and additional time was needed for repair,” she added.

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