Cable theft during loadshedding prolongs power outages in Ermelo

The recent loadshedding have provided a golden opportunity for cable thieves in Ermelo, leaving some areas for hours after loadshedding, still in the dark.

Cable theft is not new to Ermelo, but have increased to an almost daily activity.

These thefts not only has an effect on the community of Ermelo due to unnecessary and prolonged power outages, but also to the economy.

“We as a business organisation continue to raise this matter of cable theft with Msukaligwa Municipality as a serious concern due to the negative effects and the ripple effects on businesses and the community in Ermelo. As a business organisation we have also had a serious discussion with senior members of the police and the municipality in this regard,” said Mr Athol Stark of Ermelo Business Association.

According to him, cable theft has become the single biggest and most negative impact on the economy throughout South Africa, and is the main cause of major job losses and financial woes in business.

“This coupled with Eskom loadshedding is devastating to the economy. The effects are crippling to say the least. Cable theft in Ermelo has become a major source of irritation and business financial losses to the town.”

The dangers of cable theft includes community members exposed to live wires, which could result in electrocution.

According to Mr Stark, recent arrests in this regard have not stopped the syndicates from continuing this practice which is fostering confrontation between consumers, who are affected by this, and the municipality.

“Losses to the municipality also are estimated to be in the millions. Of keynote is that during a recent visit by Ermelo Business Association to the Municipal Manager of Msukaligwa, we were able to share our information with the Municipal Manager about our suspicions of who are behind the cable theft, which was the same information which had been brought to their attention.”

According to Mr Theo Craven, neighborhood watch member, the neighborhood watch is also busy with a plan to curb cable theft, as they do patrols at night in the areas known for these activities.

Public awareness is also a fundamental key in preventing cable theft from occurring, and residents must be on the lookout for any suspicious activity and report it immediately to the relevant party.

“Cable theft is having a devastating effect on business and residents alike, and both the police and the municipality are requested to give this a high priority in the interest of crime prevention and community peace,” Mr Stark concluded.

The Highvelder inquired at Msukaligwa Municipality about what they are doing to prevent cable theft and according to Mr Mandla Zwane, spokesman for Msukaligwa Municipality, they will deploy additional security guards on strategic points in the area of jurisdiction of the municipality.

He added that they will make provision for different cables than copper cables and added that the funding for this exercise is restricted.

“We have teams and standby teams available on a 24-hour basis and the expected response to every problem encountered is within 24-hours.

“Cables are to be repaired immediately on a priority basis, based on the amount of customers affected for each incident,” Mr Zwane said.

“In terms of the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), restoration of power supply after forced interruptions should be restored as follows;

a) 30 per cent of customers within 1.5-hours
b) 60 per cent of customers within 3.5-hours
c) 90 per cent of customers within 7.5-hours
d) 98 per cent of customers within 24-hours

“The above represents the worst case scenario.”

Mr Zwane encouraged all residents to help prevent cable theft by reporting the theft immediately to the local police, as well as with the Msukaligwa Municipality Call Centre. He added that residents can report the incidents anonymously.