The Brendan Village substation vandalised
Residents who wanted to find out what was happening at the substation, were scared off by the vandals.
Criminals recently vandalised the Brendan Village electricity substation and this crime continues.
Some village residents believe they will never again have electricity because of the levels of vandalism.
When the Ridge Times visited the village, it was clear that criminals are continuing to dig up the remaining cables and striping the electricity infrastructure.
Some residents said they are no longer safe because of the crime.
One resident said they saw a group of unknown people at night who opened their substation to steal the electrical equipment, including cables.
“When we realised in the morning that our substation was vandalised, my friend and I decided to put an end to it. We went there during the night to apprehend the suspects and call the police.
“Our plan failed. Before we could reach the substation, a group of men stormed us and we had to run for our lives.”
“Those vandals are dangerous,” said another resident.
Residents are afraid to walk alone at night because without street lights the village is dark.
In another instance, Evander Gold Mine cut the electricity to the village after the occupants failed to honour a payment agreement last year.
The residents then picketed at the municipal offices in Secunda where they demanded the mayor intervene on their behalf.
They are currently living without electricity. Some use generators and get water from the municipal water tanker every week.
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The Govan Mbeki Municipality Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma said at the council meeting in December the municipality will enter into a contract with the Brendan Village residents to pay the municipality for services.
Zuma also said the contract between the company appointed by the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlement to manage the village on behalf of the municipality has lapsed while the municipality is still finalising the township establishment processes.
“The council needs to decide on the village,” he said.
The Evander police spokesperson, Sergeant Zukiswa Mxhotshelwa, said one suspect has been arrested and was charged with tampering with infrastructure.
