Poortjiedam substation vandalised for second time

Poortjiedam substation was vandalised last night for the second time this week.

Glenville Fransmans, community leader, reported this morning that the substation was vandalised during the night and significant damage was done yet again. “We were in the process of requesting security at the substation as many other substations have security. The community is outraged,” Fransman said.

Last night’s incident might lead to another power outage while damages are being repaired. There is no information available at the time as to when the damages will be repaired. Promosa and Mohadin will be the main areas affected should there be a power outage.

Poortjiedam substation was vandalized for the first time during the night on 15 July and technicians spent most of the 16th repairing the damages. The electricity to Promosa and Mohadin was switched off while repairs were being done, but electricity was restored later in the afternoon.

Jurie-Hans Moolman, DA councillor, says that serious steps have to be taken to enforce the law.

“The police, the municipality and the community must make a combined effort to put a stop to this problem. This also includes enforcing the law on illegal electricity connections. This is part of a very big problem. The municipality is now under a lot of pressure to leave other important work in order to do these repairs for a second time. It is also very costly to have to repair the damages again. We believe that there will be a solution very soon. I have also spoke to the police as well as other role players who have ensured me that they will step in.”