In a recent media statement, City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba, stated that one of the reasons City Power experiences delays in delivering service is theft.
“I was alerted by council members during our Visible Service Delivery committee meeting, of the concerning upward trend of vandalism and theft of City Power infrastructure. I’ve been made aware that the cost of this all, including the value of all the material that has been stolen, surpasses R300 million and continues to rise,” Mashaba said.
“This was cited as the biggest reason for the slow delivery of electricity in some areas of our city,” he explained.
Mashaba also mentioned that criminals are vandalising street poles, and stealing supply cables and newly installed equipment such as Aerial Bundle Conductors all over the city. There has also been a high number of illegal connections, which result in street light sections being cut off by Eskom, because illegal connections damage the supply transformers. All of this is having an impact on the quality of service the city is trying to deliver.
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“We have had many instances of substations being robbed and valuable equipment being stolen from these sites. It means that while we’re busy with major and necessary upgrades, we’re also faced with work being undone and millions from our budget going down the drain. There are thugs who want to see us fail, those who think of nobody else but themselves and their selfish gains. We cannot allow these brazen criminals to threaten the delivery of services in our City. It must not happen at all,” he added.
Residents are urged to report theft and vandalism of street lights to 011 490 7900. Residents may also report defective street lights to 0860 562 874 or by going onto the City Power website at https://www.citypower.co.za.
He concluded by saying, “I would like to encourage people to report any fraud and corruption activities through our 24-hour tip-off hotline on 0800 002 587 or to visit the offices of GFIS, situated at 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein. Residents may also call the JMPD on 011 375 5911”.
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