The ward 66 councillor, Clr Carlos da Rocha, commended City Power for its response to the cable theft at its substations.
Clr Da Rocha said the cable theft and vandalism within the stations has been inconveniencing residents in the many suburbs in the Johannesburg East area.
“In recent weeks I have been inundated by complaints from community members who have been affected by this. I had meetings with City Power. We also visited the most affected stations. They promised to replace the wooden doors with metal ones,” he said.
He said this would help deter thieves from gaining entry to the substation and stealing the cables.
City Power senior communications officer, Mr Sydney Mphahlele, said welding the doors at the substation has reduced cable theft incidents in the area.
He said City Power has taken other measurese to fight the scourge.
“We have a response vehicle which patrols in the high risk areas based on the theft and vandalism of stations. We conduct joint operations with the SAPS at scrap metal dealers from time to time because that is where cable thieves sell stolen cables,” he said.
Mr Mphahlele said City Power is installing poles to ground sleeves and aerial conductor cables (ABC) across the city to prevent cable cuts by thieves.
He said ABC cables are made of aluminum which has no value for cable thieves.
“Our patrol vehicles do not cover a large area. This makes it difficult to prevent every cable theft incident. We urge residents to also be on the lookout for suspicious construction vehicles working on our electrical network, marked or not marked, and to report them to our control room,” he said.
Mr Mphahlele said the City Power’s control room’s numbers are 011 490-7911/ 7900/ 7553.
“Residents should also report trolley pushers to these numbers should they suspect them of cable theft. The more residents reporting cable theft incidents, the more City Power becomes aware of escalating trends in communities where these incidents are taking place. Consequently, we will dispatch resources to areas where they are needed,” he said.
He said City Power will conduct educational awareness campaigns in different communities and forums to deal with the issue.
Mr Mphahlele said a process of applying concrete on surfaces where cables have been laid is underway.
Clr Da Rocha called for stricter laws for scrap metal dealers.
“They are the ones buying this copper. If we can stop them buying their stock, we will win this fight. If there is no market, they will not steal these cables,” he said.
He said there are signs that cable thieves are trying to break through the walls in substations.
“In one station there are signs that they have resorted to it. With most stations being cleaned and cleared, it is possible for the residents to see what is happening. If they see suspicious activity at the stations, report it to the police and City Power. We can win this war,” he said.
