Businesses in Sunderland Ridge have taken steps to safeguard the Raslouw Substation after several cable theft and theft incidents left the area without power, impacting businesses in the area.
The substation not only distributes power to residential areas, but also to over 150 businesses that are important to the local economy.
“Due to the business area that feeds from here, the industry suffers a lot,” said Ward 70 councillor Marika Kruger Muller.
“About a year and a half ago, the team started implementing measures to curb these issues, such as adding security, cutting the grass, and installing floodlights,” she explained.
After a cable theft incident that left the area in the dark earlier this year, Kruger Muller suggested that the group apply for a Community Upliftment Precinct (CUP) agreement to protect the substation.
The CUP, which was approved three weeks ago, aims to formalise the security measures around the Sunderland Ridge substation.
“The substation distributes power to the whole of Sunderland Ridge, Raslouw, Lekkerhoekie, and Sunderland Ridge wastewater treatment works,” Kruger Muller said.
“Power outages have impacted local businesses and factory operations.”
She said although the CUP only applies to the substation, security has so far successfully foiled cable theft in nearby areas as well.
Michael Lamprecht, a representative from the Sunderland Ridge Business Community, which includes over 150 businesses, said the application was relatively quick, although there were some delays owing to the national elections on May 29.
“It was quite frustrating with all the recent cable theft issues. I would get constant messages from the business owners to try and address the situation.”
The community has taken proactive steps to clear the vegetation and overgrowth around the substation, which previously provided cover for thieves.
“We also have private security doing patrols along the cable routes. We have an armed guard on site and are planning to install a CCTV system linked to the security companies’ control room.”
Lamprecht said the CUP included a partnership with FSS, the security company familiar with the area, who also work with other security companies to combat theft at the site.
“With the CCTV system, the hope is that we can use the technology to ID the culprits.”
The initiative includes the installation of seven floodlights, with plans for solar lights soon.
“The hope is that the CUP applied to the Raslouw substation can be used as a blueprint to protect other vulnerable substations across Pretoria,” Lamprecht said.
“In spring when the grass regrows, we will be clearing at least a 6m wide berth around the substation.
“It is all about communication and knowing what is happening on the ground, with all the groups working together. I feel this will help the department to focus on what they need to, such as maintenance, without the setbacks that theft and vandalism can cause.”
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