Cable theft at substations is one of the biggest challenges the municipality faces, as the mayor indicated at last week’s meeting between municipal officials and residents. Another attempt to steal copper from one of the substations was made on Wednesday evening during load-shedding. If the suspects had succeeded in ripping out some of these cables, it would’ve left the town without power for a very long time.
Furthermore, a few weeks ago, the traction transformer site (Transnet) in the Sonop Circle area was burgled and approximately 12,000 litres of oil spilled into the soil. The matter was reported to the Department of Environmental Affairs in Ulundi, as the water that runs to Klipfontein Dam is now covered with a layer of oil. This is of grave concern, since the town’s water is dispersed from Klipfontein Dam. The Vryheid Herald contacted the relevant person at the Department of Environmental Affairs and he indicated that they are still searching for the relevant person at Transnet to attend to the issue. After another enquiry and being persistent for an answer, he indicated that they have managed to report the issue to Transnet. “What I can update you with is that we have communicated with Transnet and they will be attending to the issue in the next week, as they were not aware.”
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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
