Centurion cable theft continues
Cable theft in Centurion continues as Saxby Avenue in Eldoraigne was targeted on Sunday night.
After a week of cable theft and constant power outages in Centurion, a few residents in Eldoraigne were again left without power on Monday after another cable theft incident took place on Sunday night, the DA councillor told Rekord.
“There is a power problem in a single street, Saxby Avenue, due to cables that were stolen on Sunday night. This street is frequently targeted by cable thieves as a similar incident occurred two weeks ago,” said councillor Ina Strydom, the DA spokesperson for electricity.
Residents of Monavoni were without power on Saturday after a cable theft incident occurred in the area. The cables were repaired and power was restored on Sunday morning.
Strydom said that cable theft frequently occurs in areas such as Clubview, Monavoni, Eldoraigne and Valhalla. “What it boils down to is that the areas are close to quick getaway streets. They never really steal cables in the inner suburbs. For example, they target Valhalla as it is close to the R55 highway,” Strydom said.
The mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, announced last week that the municipality will put law enforcement in place to help fight cable theft.
After attempting to get a comment from the metro about the recent incidents in Centurion, management were not available.
“The City of Tshwane acknowledges your enquiry. We are confirming that it is receiving the necessary attention. However, due to the Mayoral Committee meeting taking place today (Monday), we are unable to provide you with the answers as top management sits in that meeting. As soon as comments are received, we will revert,” said the metro’s media relations director, Lindela Mashigo.
Last week, residents of Centurion were left in the dark for nearly four days when power went out on Monday after the Brakfontein substation was severely vandalised and the Kentron sub-station on the Highveld caught fire. On Tuesday, five other incidents of vandalism at Centurion substations were reported.
Strydom, however, urges residents to distinguish the meaning of ‘vandalism’ when it comes to substations. “When we say ‘vandalism’, we mean that the cable thieves vandalise equipment such as electric boxes and transformers, for instance, to get to the cables. It basically means that equipment is damaged and vandalised in the process of stealing cables,” she said.
When asked if cable theft incidents are usually at a high rate this time of the year, Strydom said that it varies. “The cable theft in Centurion was not this high last year. The trend of copper cable theft is due to the value of the cables. As of last year, a kilogram of copper was worth between R85 and R110 and the market value of copper for big merchants is about R70 000 per ton. I am not so sure of the current value of copper,” said Strydom.
The Wierdabrug police are investigating the countless cable theft reports. “From the police’s side, we are visiting the second-hand goods dealers to check if they are selling any metal cables,” said police spokesperson, Captain Agnes Huma.
