City responds swiftly to substation concerns
CITY Power has replaced substation doors and locks, and deployed security personnel in the Upper Houghton area to deal with cable theft.
This follows the article, Unlocked substation attracts cable thieves published week ending 1 August.
According to residents, City Power’s failure to secure a power station in Upper Houghton had resulted in repeated incidents of cable theft and power outages.
Upper Houghton resident Franco Broccardo thanked The Gazette for having followed up on the story, saying after meeting with the reporter, City Power called a day later and assured him the power station would be secured.
“Since then, the door was fixed and has been locked. They even went as far as fixing the wall which had been damaged by cable thieves a few weeks ago,” said Broccardo.
City Power spokesperson Sol Masolo said the department considered the matter of theft and vandalism of the electricity infrastructure as a very serious matter.
“We have deployed our security personnel in the area and are also partnering with the security companies… to help us protect the substation and the network in the area. We are also in communication with the local police about the matter and they have promised to help,” said Masolo.
“City Power is thankful [for] all information we continue to receive from our customers regarding the vandalism of our electricity network. To this effect we encourage customers to report all incidences of theft and vandalism to our toll-free number 0800 002587 or on 011 490 7553.”
Related article:
Unlocked substation attracts cable thieves
We’ve had the same MAJOR problems in Bellevue, fuses repeated stolen from sub station which has been left unlocked for months, no action from City Power to secure the substation, many calls to Security and Call Center. Latest incident I waited for the Security Contractors who came and went, I eventually hired a security guard to wait until they came to lock it (which they didn’t, some other residents put a lock on) Took a letter to the MD of City Power with full details and pics, no reply. Try find someone who cares there!