Vandals plunge large parts of Boksburg into darkness
Residents were fuming over the unplanned outages that affected several suburbs and the Anderbolt industrial area.
Several Boksburg areas were plunged into darkness for a lengthy period because of vandalised energy infrastructure.
The affected areas included Parkrand, Cinderella, Libradene, Cason, Boksburg North and the Anderbolt industrial area.
According to Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos, criminals targeted the mini substation (K349) that serves the areas in his ward, seemingly to steal the electrical cable.
The incident, which happened at about 21:00 on Sunday, caused widespread disruption, leaving Parkrand, Cinderella and Libradene without power for 13 hours.
De Vos escalated the problem to the energy department, but the technicians only managed to restore power at about 10:00 the following day.
Residents, however, lambasted the metro for the delayed response to put the trip switch back to the on position.
Meanwhile, in Ward 22, Cason, Boksburg North and the Anderbolt industrial area were also left in the dark from Sunday because of vandalised infrastructure, apparently by cable thieves.
The Boksburg Advertiser tried to call the area’s Ward Clr Madelaine Muller several times, but her phone went unanswered.
Muller posted a message on Facebook informing residents that the energy department had told her the outage was caused by tampering with a power box in the area. She added that, apparently, someone was electrocuted in the process but could not be found at the scene.
There are also unconfirmed reports that the city’s technicians are not working in the evenings. Apparently, technicians only worked until midday on the day because they have reached the 40-hour overtime limit, and the COO does not approve overtime over 40 hours.
Some residents without power for a lengthy period after the reports of vandalism at the various spots took to social media to express their frustrations.
Tracey Brown: So, what is the new mayor doing to stop vandalism?
Robin Symes: In the new SA, nothing will be done. The SAPS are all eating Kentucky, and they don’t care.
Chantelle Smit Ceronio: They don’t work at night due to their safety. That is what was said many times. That’s why there is also no load-shedding scheduled after 22:00 for the same reason. Understand that too.
Renette Els: That is so bad. No one is on standby. Wow
Gerhard Boucher: We have been sitting without electricity since Sunday morning in 2nd Street, Boksburg North.
Also Read: Metro wants answers from Eskom about prolonged power outages
