An unprotected electrical substation became the center of attention after community members discovered its security gates had been standing open for more than two weeks.
Whats was even more alarming was that the substation also featured in a recent crime incident where local community policing forum (CPF) patrollers along with a security reaction unit chased after suspects who used the open substation as part of their escape plan.
The Libertas substation is an important and strategic installation in Mogale City which supplies power to the northern and north-eastern suburbs of Krugersdorp. It also supplies power to the Pinehaven area, Cradlestone Mall, Silverstar Casino and the surrounding areas.
Councillor of ward 21, Lynn Pannall, where the substation is, was amazed when she received pictures on 30 March of the substation with its security gates wide open.
“There should be security guards on the grounds to not only protect the installation against theft and vandalism, but also protect anyone slipping into the facility, such as homeless people looking for a place to sleep or from people being electrocuted,” Pannall explained.
She immediately referred the incident to Council’s Emergency Services after receiving the complaint.
“Apart from the threat of being electrocuted, perpetrators can easily hide in the dark corners of the grounds,” Marcel Jonker from Dowry Security said.
On 2 April, a reaction unit from Dowry was called out to an attempted housebreaking incident in Weston Street around 10pm. The reaction officer and Sector 7’s CPF patrollers chased after suspect which led them to the unmanned substation. The group searched the area and realised that the suspects might have escaped through the substation since it was standing wide open and a piece of its concrete fence was also damaged.
It is still unclear where the security guards were at the time of the incident.
Read more:
• Parastatal’s lack of social responsibility
• Multi-million refurbishment of substation
• New substation for Mogale City
