The Ekurhuleni multi-party coalition government says it has noted with deep concern the growing incidents of attacks on the city’s energy infrastructure.
The city’s power utility is frequently subjected to vandalism by cable thieves, a suspected deliberate attempt to sabotage the city’s provision of electricity to residents.
According to the spokesperson of the mayor Warren Gwilt, as a result of the widespread attacks on the infrastructure, the Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell has requested the EMPD Chief of Police, Isaac Mapiyeye, to engage with the SAPS to intensify investigations into theft, vandalism, and sabotage of city infrastructure.
Over the past weekend, multiple areas across the city suffered prolonged power outages due to theft and vandalism.
“This administration has become aware of sabotage in certain areas, repeatedly targeted to deliberately antagonize residents and pitting communities against one another. In these areas where major repetitive vandalism occurs are having extended power outages,” said Campbell in a statement.
Campbell pointed out that stage six load-shedding has exacerbated these attacks on the network, as it is easy for unsavoury elements to vandalise and destroy infrastructure when there is no live feed.
“I call on our communities to be the eyes and ears of our law enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
“This administration will show no fear nor favour in ensuring that action is taken against those who are found committing these treasonous acts. The full might of the law must be enacted against those implicated in wrong-doing,” said Campbell.
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