The Dolphin Coast has been plunged into darkness twice in three days after thieves returned to rob the Eskom substation in Shakaskraal of copper wire early this morning.

Residents of wards 22 (Salt Rock), 20 (Etete) and 28 (Shakaskraal) were without electricity for about 9 hours on Saturday after copper cables were stolen from the substation.

Ward 22 Councillor Privi Makhan and KwaDukuza electrical and engineering head Sibusiso Jali visited the substation this morning confirming the cable theft and that Eskom teams were on site.

The theft puts a renewed strain on the power supply to many of the wards south of the Mvoti Toll Plaza.

The wards that are partly or wholly affected by the outage are 4 (Shaka’s Head), 6 (Ballito), 7 (Nkobongo), 8 (Shakaskraal), 9 (Groutville), 12 (Tinley Manor), 20 (Etete), 22 (Salt Rock), 23 (Shakaskraal), 28 (Shakaskraal) and 29 (Groutville).

“For now Eskom cannot tell us when the power will be returned,” said Makhan.

She said testing was still to be done, which could not be completed if there was inclement weather.

“This means power is only likely to return this evening or in the early hours of tomorrow.”

Makhan called on Eskom to secure their infrastructure as well as the local Saps to help in the fight against cable theft.

“Yet again the appeal is being made to law enforcement to get behind us and curb this illicit activity.”