Cable crooks strike again, power out in town
CPF members and other stakeholders discover that the back-up power cable to the Munic Substation has been stolen, which affects the power supply in parts of town.
After receiving reports of power outages in Helikon Park, the CPF and other stakeholders investigated and discovered the back-up power cable from Munic Substation was stolen.
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CPF chairperson Ruan Sheppard explained, they received reports of power outages in Helikon Park since June 24. On June 26, they found a trench at the Randfontein Bird Sanctuary, allegedly dug by thieves to steal the cable. He mentioned the cable supplies power to Helikon Park, Culemborg Park and Eikepark.
He added they believe this is the reason for the fire that broke out at the sanctuary, as reported on June 26 by the Randfontein Herald. According to Sheppard, this is not the first time cables were stolen close to substations; they previously found trenches where thieves had dug for cables in various other areas as well, and now recently at the bird sanctuary.
Sheppard explained there are six primary substations in the area. Drowell and Munic substations are two of the main substations. When Drowell is off, the areas can be moved over to Munic for emergency power; however, now that the cable has been stolen, it can cause trouble with the power.
