Residents in several parts of Vryheid have again been left without electricity after thieves targeted municipal infrastructure in two separate cable theft incidents.

According to the AbaQulusi Local Municipality, the first incident occurred in Birch Street, Lakeside, where a utility pole was cut down before electrical cables were stolen. A second incident was reported at the corner of Park and Commission streets, where more copper cables were stolen.

More outages expected during repairs

The municipality said some consumers were already without electricity. Additional outages are expected once technicians isolate the affected network to carry out repairs safely.

The areas expected to be affected include Commission, Small, Utrecht, Hlobane, Emmett and Park streets, as well as surrounding neighbourhoods.

Municipal technicians have assessed the damage and are sourcing the materials needed to complete the repairs. Power is expected to be restored within approximately four hours, although this will depend on the extent of the damage and the progress of the repair work.

Residents urged to remain cautious

Residents have been reminded to treat all electrical connections and appliances as live, as electricity may be be restored without prior warning.

The latest incidents come amid an ongoing wave of copper cable theft in Vryheid, which has repeatedly left residents and businesses without electricity for hours at a time while repairs are carried out.

Municipal officials have previously appealed to community members to report suspicious activity around electricity infrastructure, warning that cable theft not only disrupts essential services but also places lives at risk and results in costly repairs funded by ratepayers.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.