There has been no end in the ongoing power outages in the Wilgeheuwel area and residents are still at their wits end with no answer in sight. Wilgeheuwel resident, Julian Kruger said he has lived in his house for more than four years but has always had power problems.
Yumna Sheik, spokesperson of City Power said that 45 percent of power outages in the utility’s operating areas are caused by cable theft, representing a considerable challenge to City Power’s service delivery efforts. “We are installing pole to ground sleeves and aerial bundled conductors across Joburg to deter thieves from cutting cables and bare overhead conductors,” said Sheik.
She added that City Power conducts joint operations with the South African Police, Johannesburg Metro Police, Eskom and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa to investigate scrap metal dealers in known hotspots to turn off illegal connections.
Cable theft is conservatively estimated to cost the South African economy about R5 billion a year directly and indirectly. Sheik said that besides the cost of replacing the infrastructure and damaged equipment, cable theft contributes to increased electricity tariffs and prices for ordinary South Africans. “The industry has lamented the scourge of cable theft and has collectively lobbied the government to classify cable theft as an act of economic sabotage due to the debilitating impact of cable theft on the economy,” said Sheik.
She added that earlier this year, the government tabled a Criminal Matters Amendment Bill 2015 which seek to impose more stringent sentences to suspects convicted of cable theft,” concluded Sheik.
Ward 86 Councilor, Steve Kotze said that he will be starting an online petition soon regarding the power outages so that people could voice their concerns about this situation. He said that his ward is also struggling with power outages, but the petition will be for anyone in Joburg. “If you contact City Power, they do not respond,” said Kotze.
Kotze said that he will make a link available once he has the petition up and running.
Details: City Power, 011 490 7000.
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