Eskom thanks Klopperpark for assistance
“The hole dug by criminals has been closed and we are grateful for the partnership we have with the CPF."
Eskom has praised the Klopperpark CPF and community for assisting it in the prevention of the theft of its infrastructure.
On July 18, Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro took Bedfordview and Edenvale News to a site where attempts to dig up Eskom’s infrastructure could be seen.
Guerreiro believes the perpetrators were trying to steal 132kv cables.
He said the activity was discovered at the end of June.
“The community is on high alert because if the cable is damaged or stolen it could lead to a massive power outage,” said Guerreiro.
Ronel Kotze of Eskom’s communication and stakeholder relations department said they thanked the local CPF for alerting Eskom of this attempted theft.
“The hole dug by criminals has been closed and we are grateful for the partnership with the CPF,” said Kotze.
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“It assists Eskom in ensuring that theft and vandalism are reduced and, in some instances, prevented.”
Kotze said Eskom is in the process of putting measures in place that will ensure that this electricity infrastructure is not compromised.
He said if the cables in question were damaged or stolen, supply to the City of Ekurhuleni would be affected as Eskom provides bulk supply to the city.
As such its customers would be affected too.
He highlighted that incidents of theft and vandalism are rife in Gauteng.
To prevent this, Kotze said Eskom conduct risk assessments to classify and identify hot spot areas.
Static guards are placed strategically at hot spot sites and are complemented by armed response patrols.
“Eskom also partners and collaborates with community members, community security companies, business forums, the CPF, the SAPS and POPS to try and reduce theft and vandalism of the electricity infrastructure,” he elaborated.
He said Eskom constantly investigates alternative measures that will assist it to prevent the theft and vandalism of equipment.
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“These criminal acts do not only affect the City of Ekurhuleni and Eskom, but they also inconvenience law-abiding, paying customers and community service points such as healthcare and education facilities, businesses, and the economy at large.”
Highlighting the challenges Eskom faces in preventing vandalism and theft, Kotze said employees and security guards in Gauteng are often assaulted, intimidated and in extreme situations are killed and held hostage by some community members.
“This display of aggression and violence by communities sometimes leads to employees suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety,” explained Kotze.
It also results in delays in repair work and project completion, further extending the period that residents spend without electricity.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activities anonymously to the Eskom crime line on 0800 11 27 22 (toll-free) or to the nearest police station.
