Metro calls on residents to join the fight against cable theft
The substation fire resulted in electricity being disrupted in the Rosslyn industrial area, the Orchards, and areas towards Soshanguve. Power has since been restored to most of those areas.
Even though it was unclear whether cable theft was behind the recent fire at a substation in the north in Pretoria, a local MMC has called on residents to work with the metro in fighting this crime.
“The cause of the fire at the Rosslyn substation is still unknown and will only be determined upon the completion of the investigation,” said community and social development services MMC councillor Thabisile Vilakazi.
“But we are pleading with the community to report cable thieves to law enforcement agencies such as the metro police and the SAPS.”
Vilakazi made the remarks during her visit to the substation on Tuesday after it had been engulfed by fire only a day earlier.
The substation fire resulted in electricity being disrupted in the Rosslyn industrial area, the Orchards and areas towards Soshanguve. Power has since been restored to most of those areas.
Cable theft was behind massive disruptions to electricity supply as well as damages to the infrastructure in Tshwane and the rest of the country.
ALSO READ: Cable theft leaves 24 000 households in the north without power
According to Vilakazi, a joint effort between members of the community and the metro to root out cable theft would make it difficult for criminals to continue stealing cables.
In December last year, community safety and emergency services MMC Karen Meyer said corrupt second-hand metal dealers who bought copper from cable thieves were part of the problem.
Late last month, eight security officers were held hostage at gunpoint, while criminals cut and stole cables from a Tshwane metro mini sub-station also in the north of Pretoria.
According to the health department, the incident affected the laundromat providing services to 10 hospitals and 69 clinics in the Tshwane district.
As a result of the power supply interruption, Gauteng health department spokesperson Kwara Kekana said laundry services had to be diverted from Tshwane to Johannesburg laundries and the Dunswart laundry facilities in Ekurhuleni.
Residents can report cable theft on the cable theft hotlines: 012 358 7095 or 080 011 2722.
They can alternatively call the police on the Crime Stop number: 08600 10111 or their nearest police station.
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