A wide open gate, broken concrete palisade fence, and no security presence – this is the situation at the Alexandra substation near Vincent Tshabalala and Shakespeare roads. The substation, which supplies electricity to Alexandra and the surrounding communities, remains unsecured, despite Alexandra’s alarming cases of theft and vandalism of essential infrastructure.

The site’s vulnerability to theft and vandalism recently drew criticism from local leaders, who warn that its neglect could cause the city a lot of money and plunge residents its prolonged darkness. Ward 81 councillor Joanne Horwitz stressed that it is wide open. “The gate’s never close, the [concrete palisade fence] around the substation is literally falling down. It is wide open to anybody that wants to come in and do mischief.”

Read more: Unsecured substation in Alexandra raises alarm over infrastructure vulnerability

She highlighted that when infrastructure is stolen or vandalised, residents are left without electricity for weeks, and the City of Johannesburg is forced to absorb the cost of replacements. The economic fallout is just as severe.

DA Shadow MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Tyrell Meyers pointed to nearby factories that rely on uninterrupted power. “If they lose power, they can’t produce. Obviously, they are going to have to lay off workers. So, there is a negative ripple effect.”

The visit formed part of the DA’s infrastructure campaign launch in Alexandra, aimed at exposing the province’s deteriorating infrastructure and proposing solutions. Shadow MEC for Infrastructure Nico De Jager stressed the need for co-ordinated protection efforts. “Part of what we are talking about in our campaign is how to protect infrastructure from vandalism and irresponsible behaviour on the part of the entities, and how to get communities, SAPS, CPFs, and private security companies involved in safeguarding and protecting the infrastructure.”

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De Jager was blunt about City Power’s responsibility. “You cannot have a situation where a substation has no perimeter walls, broken gates, and no security guards on site. Theoretically speaking, none of us should even be allowed here if this place was guarded properly – which it isn’t.”

The measures highlighted by De Jager are not new and unexplored. In a statement released late last month, City Power noted that it had met with the local CPF, private security companies, SAPS representatives, and community leaders to develop joint strategies for securing their infrastructure.

City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava, in a released statement, highlighted the arrests of six cable theft suspects in Alexandra, Johannesburg CBD, and Bramley View as a result of the co-operation between City Power, the police, and the community. “These arrests demonstrate that City Power and its partners are stepping up the fight against criminals sabotaging essential infrastructure.”

However, the substation near Vincent Tshabalala Road remains exposed. Alex News reached out to City Power for comment, specifically regarding the site’s security status. An update will be provided once available.

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