More than R500k spent in few months as Tshwane plagued by cable theft crisis
The National Intelligence Agency office in Wingate Park was also hit by cable theft recently.
Unplanned power outages because of persistent cable theft have become an unpleasant reality for residents in the east of Pretoria in recent months.
According to the Tshwane metro, there were 10 power cable theft incidents between July 1 and September 9 in the Mooikloof power substation lines alone, which cost the metro more than R500 000 in repairs.
They spent R310 485 on repairs in May and June
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said some of the thefts were inside the Mooikloof station yard.
Of the recent thefts, one took place at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) office in Wingate Park on September 2, the police confirmed.
A week later, last Friday, residents were hit by another unplanned power outage due to a cable stolen in Garsfontein Road near the Mooikloof substation.
Moreletapark resident Jeandre Visagie Rekord that there was a cable theft crisis in the area with seven cases in the past 30 days.
He said that this was a recurring problem with the first incident reported in 2018.
“Back then we had weekly thefts before a community initiative to hire a private security to patrol the hotspot areas,” he said.
While the municipality fixed the problem within 24 hours, Visagie said it did very little to prevent the problem by implementing security solutions.
“Moreletapark residents had to cope with weekly cable thefts over the past few months. Once or more each week, we wake up at 03:00 without power because our electrical cables have been stolen.
“It is impossible to do work, have a hot shower, cook food or get anything done when the cables are stolen.
“This makes it impossible to live a normal life.”
Garsfontein police spokesperson Warrant Officer Duane Lightfoot said several cable thefts were reported in the precinct in recent months.
“Unfortunately there have been no arrests yet and the cases are still being investigated,” Lightfoot said.
Ward 91 councillor Henning Viljoen said most of the thefts took place on the main feeder line that runs between the Mooikloof power substation and the NIA offices.
“There was a theft where 30m of cable inside the NIA building’s boundaries were stolen. The area most affected is the north-westerly portion of Moreletapark that includes Brabham, parts of Wekker, Paul, Timbavati and Jozini streets and extensions 44, 51, 65, 70 and 85,” Viljoen said.
“Although cable theft has been a problem in the ward for many years with varying regularity, it is lately very rife.”
Viljoen said power restoration time frames frustrated residents.
“I can categorically say that everything possible is done to speed up the process.
“It can be said without a doubt that the metro deems this as a major challenge. It is doing what is possible within the very limited budget constraints, which consequently poses a significant challenge on available resources.”
Viljoen said he met with the TMPD cable theft unit’s management.
“The frustration for us all is just that they cannot be everywhere all the time with the limited resources at their disposal,” he concluded.
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