Central SA
Centlec continue to experience theft and vandalism─── LUCKY NKUYANE 11:05 Sat, 31 Dec 2022
The Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Municipality's power utility, Centlec, continues to experience theft and vandalism of its infrastructure, which adds to power outage woes.
The local power entity reports that eight of its High Rupturing Capacity (HRC) fuses at the corner of Henry and Aliwal streets in Bloemfontein were stolen on Friday, 30 December 2022.
This is while 10 more HRC fuses were also stolen at another location on the same day. This led to a power outage.
According to Centlec spokesperson, Lele Mamatu, the entity has noted with disgust cases of theft and vandalism around the Bloemfontein Central Business District (CBD).
Mamatu reveals that another incident was also recorded at the corner of Henry and East Burger streets, next to the department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, where 10 HRC fuses were also stolen.
"At around 10h00 in the morning of 30 Friday, December 2022, upon receiving a power outage complaint, an electrician was dispatched to investigate and identify the possible fault on the network.
"Upon arrival, he discovered that eight HRC fuses at the corner of Henry and Aliwal streets have been removed intentionally.
"At around 18H00 on the evening of Friday, another complaint was recorded where 10 HRC fuses were stolen at the corner of Hill and Cricket Streets.
"We have noted that the modus operandi of these criminals is one and the same as they target and carry out these illegal activities during the load-shedding period".
Mamatu adds that these acts of theft not only distract the provision of essential services, but also lead to prolonged and unnecessary power outages in various parts of the municipality.
"We have taken note that theft of the HRC fuses does not occur independently. This act is accompanied by serious damage to the existing infrastructure.
"The doors are broken, padlocks are cut off, distribution box covers are forcefully removed and stolen.
"The cost of replacing the stolen fuses is accompanied by the repair costs of the vandalised infrastructure.
"Members of the public are requested to report criminal activities such as theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure to nearest the police station or to the Centlec fraud hotline at 051 409 2218," Mamatu further adds.
