RA trials infrastructure protection initiative

Residents associations are on a mission to protect electricity infrastructure from vandalism and theft.

Northside neighbourhoods are experiencing constant power outages this year, primarily due to cable theft and infrastructure vandalism, as revealed by City Power’s Roodepoort Service Delivery Centre GM Sibusiso Xulu.

Residents associations from Honeydew in the west to Weltevreden Park in the east have been working diligently to secure electricity infrastructure like mini-substations (MSS), and with growing support from local communities, they seem to be making some headway.

Unfortunately, securing a mini-substation does nothing to halt the rife cable theft that has been plaguing these communities.

Community patrollers have taken to regularly patrolling cable theft hotspots throughout the area, and while they have had some success, patrollers can’t be everywhere at once.

City Power has also deployed a security company to look after its infrastructure, but in an area of this size, cable thieves still seem to find opportunities to get at the loot.

According to Willowbrook, Ruimsig, Amorosa, and Poortview (WRAP) Residents Association chairperson, Martin van der Westhuizen, they have taken heed of City Power’s call for communities to help them in the fight against cable theft and vandalism.

“Fundraising for the securing of MSS units throughout the area is continuing. We still have a couple that need securing, but we are making strong headway. It is a relatively expensive exercise, but one that is proving worthwhile.”

In addition, WRAP recently undertook an initiative with a local security provider to safeguard electricity infrastructure within their area.

“This project served as a trial to ascertain the efficacy of night patrols and consisted of a local security company assigning a dedicated vehicle to patrol MSS units throughout Ruimsig, as well as Gelding Avenue and Ann Road, both of which are hotspots for cable thieves and MSS vandals.

“Due to an additional incident of vandalism, the area was increased to include Poortview,” says Van der Westhuizen, adding that the local security company, Absolut Security, took part in the trial at no cost to residents or the RA.

The initiative was a resounding success, with not a single incident of vandalism or theft reported in the patrolled area during the entire trial, which lasted 10 days, from June 14 to 24.

“This goes to show that as residents, we have the power to stop the scourge of cable theft and vandalism. Unfortunately, it comes at a price. I am sure that, with the support of the entity as well as residents, we can overcome the cost obstacle. It is well worth the extra few rands if it results in our electricity supply being stabilised.”