A whopping R2 million will have to be forked out to repair damaged and vandalised electrical substations in Ladysmith and surrounding areas. This has not been budgeted for by the municipality.
According to municipal communications officer Siya Maphalala, Alfred Duma Local Municipality condemns vandalism of electrical substations.
“It is with dismay that the municipality has fallen victim to several incidents of break-ins, vandalism and theft at municipal substations and major electrical switch-houses,” said Maphalala.
Affected substations include the Model Kloof Switch-House, Settlers Drive Switch-House, Lyell Street Switch-House and Convent Road Switch-House. This has resulted in damage to the properties and damage to electrical infrastructure equipment.
In addition to that, roof tiling, ceiling boards, windows, alarm systems and the distribution boards were also vandalised.
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Earthing equipment, switch-gear operating handles, lights and batteries were stolen.
As a result, these switch-houses are left with no electrical protection systems and this poses a serious threat to the electrical network, properties and to the community itself.
Not only has municipal property been targeted, but a local business as well. “25 breakers were vandalised, one complete DB Box was stolen and four industrial floodlights were stripped from the wall on my premises,” said a frustrated businessman.
According to Maphalala, one has to highlight the fact that there are many dangers associated with not having earthing and protection at the municipal substation.
The system will not be able to detect faults and isolate the faulty sections from the functional ones and this could result in permanent damage to switch-gear and to the properties.
The system will not be able to avoid unwarranted false trips within the network and this will result in large parts of the town being without electricity for long periods of time. The circuit breakers will not be able to reduce equipment damage during electrical faults.
There will be no protection against overload on the network and this will lead to consumer appliances being burnt and damages whenever there are electrical surges on the network.
There will be no voltage stability at consumer premises and this could lead to injury and loss of life.
“Consumers are urged to install surge / over voltage / current protection in their properties to avoid their appliances being burnt, as required by electricity supply regulations. Alfred Duma Local Municipality strongly urges community members to take extra care of municipal infrastructure and report wrongdoing,” added Maphalala.
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