Vandalism and the theft of electrical fuses and cables from substations and switching stations in the western part of Randpark Ridge have caused several outages, unnecessary costs of repairs, and residents unable to work from home.
A local security company offered to install alarm systems within these substations and undertook to monitor the systems and send their armed response staff once the systems are activated.
The substations that SB Security has secured are the ones on Soetdoring, Knoppiesdoring, Eastwood and Jan Frederick Avenues.
The initiative was taken up with City Power Risk Management and they agreed for the four substations to be fitted with alarms as a trial.
“I am sure that this decision will have a positive impact. It is a great effective cooperation between businesses, residents and City Power. All credit to SB Security for their offer. I hope to be able to roll this out to other areas within the ward that have had similar problems or to prevent future problems due to the loss of power as well as the cost to City Power,” said Ward 126 councillor David Brand.
Owner of SB Security Shawn Nicholls said that as a security company in the area they decided to do something for the community.
SB Security approached City Power through David and asked if they could donate the security alarm systems at their cost to the community, and help secure the substations, which the entity agreed to.
“We installed four alarm systems in four substations in the area and connected them to our control room for monitoring. So if anybody tries to break into the substations, the alarm will send us a signal and our response officers will be able to respond quickly.
“This means that we will be able to stop vandalism and hopefully give the residents more stable power,” said Nicholls.
According to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, the entity is responding to the call by the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services for the reduction in copper cable theft and vandalism by 20% in the next six months.
“Partnership with communities, sector policing forums, the security industry and law-enforcement agencies is the only sustainable solution to protect our electricity network infrastructure. As part of our resolve to reduce copper cable theft and vandalism by 20% in the next six months, City Power will be cultivating more partnerships with various stakeholders,” said Mangena.
