Metro notes high-scale theft of fuses at mini substations

Residents have noted with growing concern the theft of fuses from unlocked electricity transformer cabinets and mini substations, plunging households into darkness.

Recently, at least over 70 households were in the dark in Brackendowns, Tamarisk Street, as nine 400 amp fuses from an unlocked electricity transformer cabinet were reportedly stolen.

New fuses were only installed two days later, according to the complainant.

After the fitting of new fuses, he said a contractor arrived and welded the cabinet door closed.

“Our residents’ group understands the theft in Tamarisk Street was one of many. One resident was advised by the Ekurhuleni electrician that he had replaced 82 fuses in one day last week, and 82 fuses suggest upwards of 600 households had their electricity supply interrupted by theft last week,” he said.

He said considering the number of fuses stolen in a short space of time suggests that it’s organised crime. In response, Zweli Dlamini, the city’s spokesperson, said: “The city officials have been welding the mini-substations closed to prevent access to the fuses. There is currently an ongoing investigation and the city hopes it will soon get to the bottom of details around this and who is involved in this high-scale theft of the fuses.”