Global implications of local issue are shocking
MONTGOMERY PARK- Louis Grobler is concerned with how the recent City Power strikes will be seen from an international perspective.
Zakiya Mckenzie
zakiyam@caxton.co.za
Recent widespread power outages across Johannesburg left many residents mulling over the local implications of being without electricity, but security practitioner Louis Grobler is seeing things from a more global perspective.
The vigilant ex-military man is alarmed at how easy it was for the city to be shut down. For him, military powers on the outside might be taking note of the relative ease with which the city was controlled by a small fraction of saboteurs.
“The proof is in the pudding and what we've experienced is scary. It was just too easy for a small group to sabotage the entire electrical system,” he said.
Grobler is concerned with how abuse of power, manipulation of the public and scapegoating that accompanied the strike will reflect internationally.
“The electrical system is very sophisticated and this act was done with such precision. It was a very well designed and executed plan and I believe it had to have input from the higher ups because how did these low level strikers have access to or even know how to jeopardize the stations and substations?”
“It's really scary that just a few people in point positions can bring an entire city to its knees. How secure does that make you feel living in Johannesburg,” Grobler asks.
