Residents tired of thieves hitting substations

Ward 66 councillor, Clr Carlos Da Rocha, has called on the community and City Power to work together to curb the vandalising of the electrical substations.

Clr Da Rocha said this after a substation along Albertina Sisulu Road, next to 3rd Street, was vandalised on Wednesday, May 13.

A resident, Mr Tony Jardim, said he was watching television with his family in the evening when the lights went off.

“My son and I checked and noticed that it was not load shedding. We then noticed movement at the substation. As we were going there, two men fled from the substation,” he said.

According to Mr Jardim, the criminals left a glove and their bag full of tools which were used to steal the cables and switches from the substation.

He said the substation has become a target for criminals lately.

“At least once every two months there is a break in here. This inconveniences about 50 houses that are supplied by this substation,” said.

Clr Da Rocha said this sort of criminal activity is on the rise in the area.

“I am getting calls about this lately. Copper cables may be the reason for this. We need to join hands as a community, City Power and the police to win this battle,” said.

Clr Da Rocha said this sort of crime is costing everyone.

“It is costing City Power to replace the stolen items and costing the residents as their food is spoilt. Also, consider the inconvenience that comes with the lack of electricity. Maybe if City Power can improve the security at these substations, like higher walls, adding barbed wire and steal doors could help. When residents see something suspicious happening at the substations, they should call the police. The SAPS, in turn, should react quickly and arrest the suspects. That’s what we need,” said Clr Da Rocha.

An inquiry was sent to City Power on Tuesday, May 19.

Comment was requested by Wednesday, May 20.

At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.