Tshwane: Help us beat acts of infrastructure sabotage
Tshwane recently registered at least three cable theft cases a week in Pretoria North.
Tshwane has called on communities to help fight back against criminality surrounding municipal infrastructure in their areas.
The metro has been swamped by a spate of cable thefts and vandalism of infrastructure.
According to Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, damage to infrastructure is continuing at a disturbing rate, often resulting in great inconvenience to residents.
“These irregular incidents of thieving, destruction of water and electricity networks and other facilities are causing distress to the municipality’s management.
“We appeal to the residents to play a role in helping to safeguard such infrastructure,” he said.
Mashigo said the metro experienced dozens of incidents of criminality, many co-ordinated with the sole aim of collapsing service delivery.
“With the autumn season upon us, the impact of power and water outages that are as a result of sabotage, spell devastation for residents who are likely to experience electricity interruptions for extended periods.
“The essential infrastructure may not be on the metro’s asset register but it is meant for the benefit of the community.”
Pretoria North and Wolmer residents are just some of Pretoria’s communities that have been plunged into darkness at the hands of criminals.
Mashigo said the metro received complaints of at least three cable theft cases in Pretoria North a week.
He said all these complaints came in the form of power outages and were addressed as part of the electricity management process.
“All outages are attended to as and when they are received through the customer relations management centre,” said Mashigo.
The metro also loses potential revenue generation from electricity sales when consumers have power outages.
“An amount of R6.2-million has already been spent by energy and electricity in Region 1 for repairs to theft incidents.”
Ward 2 interim councillor Dana Wannenburg said stolen cables resulted in power outages in the north.
Residents must report cable theft to the metro police on 012 358 7095/7096 or via tmpdcomplaints@tshwane.gov.za, grandit@tshwane.gov.za, rexm@tshwane.gov.za or the cable theft unit on 012 358 1550.
Residents must remember to provide the following information when reporting cable theft:
– Name, address and contact details (email address)
– Date of reporting
– Municipal account number
– Detailed description of the issue including the location, duration, and any relevant observations.
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