Copper cable theft and illegal electricity connections are plunging the North Coast into a dark danger.
For Umdloti residents and tourists coming to enjoy the charming beach town, driving at night is a scary task that requires bright lights and nerves of steel.
For the animals living in the wildlife habitat area in Umdloti, the dark roads also pose a threat, as it makes it almost impossible to see the little Duikers or Dassies while they are crossing the road.
According to councillor Geoff Pullan, the street lights, or rather lack of them, has been an ongoing issue with the council.
“The M4 between Umdloti and Westbrook is an area where the theft of copper cables and electrical infrastructure has reached unacceptable levels,” said eThekwini head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa.
Although the lights have been fixed numerous times, the cables are stolen moments later, creating a vicious and expensive circle.
Deputy Head of the Electricity Unit, Roy Wienand said that they cannot keep throwing money away by fixing the lights every few days.
“This is a social issue, not an electrical one,” he said.
Pullan said that the DA has been trying to get the municipality to provide pre-paid metered electricity to all informal settlements, to try prevent the theft of these cables.
“Pre-paid meters would address a number of issues: drastic reduction of cable theft, save people in informal settlements from paying for the illegal connections, prevent numerous deaths caused by exposed cables from illegal connections, reduce the power failures, save the council a fortune in removing illegal connections and will free up electricity staff to maintain the service.”
Mthethwa added that new street light designs are being considered, which may assist in curbing this problem in the long-term.
Residents are urged to report any suspicion of cable theft to the following numbers: electricity call centre 080 13 13 111 or Cable Theft Hotline 031-3119611 or send an sms to 083 700 0819 or email custocare@elec.durban.gov.za
Reports of electricity theft should be made to Electricity’s Contact Centre.
The minimum response time is 48 hours.
