Vandalism continues to plunge Florida residents into darkness
"There is no doubt in my mind that what we are seeing is a highly coordinated criminal syndicate which seeks to cause havoc across the area."
Upon power restoration after load-shedding in the early hours of Tuesday, November 1, Sentraal Substation, Nursery No 1 and No 3 tripped and when City Power investigated, they found that Nursery Substation was vandalised.
The power utility had to look at an assessment and restoration plan for the vandalism which had damages that include the following:
• Sentraal Substation No 1 feeder, 33 KV Cable all 3 cables were cut to ground level and 33KV Bus Bars stolen.
• Sentraal Substation No 3 feeder, 33 KV Cables all 3 Cables were cut to ground level
• Florida North Substation Feeder, 33 KV Cables all Cables were cut to ground level
• Ontdekkers Substation Feeder, 33 KV Cables all Cables were cut to ground level
• Transformer No 5 all 6.6 KV Bus Bars were stolen
After measuring the work that needed to be done, City Power indicated that the estimated ETR would be 6pm on Wednesday, November 2.
According to City Power Spokesperson Isaac Mangena, after the restoration plan is carried through an update will follow.
The areas affected are Florida Park, Florida North, Florida View, Florida and Maraisburg.
According to Ward 70 Councillor Caleb Finn, when load-shedding ended the power tripped within a second of being restored at 12 midnight, residents nearby to the Nursery Substation reported a loud bang as well.
Finn said that he immediately requested assistance from security service providers and also made my way to the substation.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that the Nursery substation was vandalised, multiple cables were cut in the yard of the station. City Power and myself arrived at the same time together with BackUp Security Intervention Specialists and Help24 Secure who searched large sections of the park but found that the suspects had already fled. The suspects broke through three layers of palisade fencing and it seems they were in a vehicle as tyre tracks can be seen below the substation heading out of the park,” said Finn.
As a result of this only the William Nicol Switching Station has been energised so as to provide electricity to Life Flora Hospital.
“My understanding was that guards would be immediately deployed to Florida North [which has happened] and that other substations in the Roodepoort area such as Nursery would receive guards in the near future. I have written to the CEO of City Power to request the urgent deployment of guards on a permanent basis to the Nursery Substation. There is no doubt in my mind that what we are seeing is a highly coordinated criminal syndicate which seeks to cause havoc across the area. We need to remain united and solutions orientated at this stage,” said Finn.
Members of the community are reminded that should they see anything suspicious happening around the electrical network, they are requested to call City Power Risk Management on 011 490 7911 or WhatsApp 083 579 4497.
