Residents left in the dark
Several households in Greenside near Polokwane were left without electricity last Tuesday after cables were stolen
POLOKWANE –Â It has been reported by residents in the area that cables are stolen at least once a month, and it negatively affects their lives.
Priscilla Lebogo, a Greenside resident, said she realised the cables were stolen one morning when she wanted to prepare a meal for her children and found the electricity was off.
“This was not the first time. It happens often and we live in fear because criminals use the situation to their advantage. They rob and attack people because it is so dark at night,” said Lebogo.
Another resident, John Matime said the rate at which cables are stolen is escalating, “break-ins will increase if something is not done to address the situation”.
Approached for comment, Municipal Spokesperson, Matshidiso Mothapo, said the municipality was aware of the cable theft in Greenside, Seshego and Polokwane.
“Almost every night someone tries to steal cables or vandalise our meter boxes. The municipality repairs the electrical connections within a day or two depending on how much was stolen and the extent of the damage to the meter boxes,” said Mothapo.
He said residents were encouraged to report anyone who is suspected of stealing cables to the police, but advised them not to take the law into their own hands.
Mothapo further said repairing the cables in Polokwane and the Seshego cluster costs the municipality more than R4 million every year.
