Naturena residents wrestle electricity cable theft

Frustrated residents braved rainy weather and descended in large numbers on the Naturena Primary School to resolve cable theft with City Power in Naturena on March 12.

The meeting was opened with a prayer by ANC Ward 119 Clr Thobile Zondo, ward committee members, as well as different stakeholders from City Power.

One of the concerned residents, Xolani Zwane from Naturena Ext 15, narrated some of the frustrations and sizzling revelations.

“It has been a long and frustrating three weeks whereby residents experienced continuous blackouts caused by cable theft every 24 hours after cable installation or repair.

“Sadly, some households had electrical appliances damaged or foodstuff rotten in the fridges. We experienced increasing house robberies, with criminals taking advantage of blackouts. We also had extra budget costs to buy takeaway food, while awaiting power installation to prepare some meals.

“We put our lives at risk and patrol as residential volunteers. We found more than 13 holes dug up by cable by the thieves. However, the metro police seldom assist us and would immediately abandon the post when residents left for sleep in preparation for work the next day,” explained Zwane.

Among invited City Power stakeholders were the CEO Tshifularo Mashava, spokesperson Isaacs Mangena, HOD for the security cluster Sergeant Thele and manager Rakepa Mokgoro. Also in attendance was the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Jack Sekwaila.

Mashava openly acknowledged cable theft as the new ‘social disease’ which already left an unbearable burden and a bad stigma attached to the power supply. As a result of this, residents have lost faith.

Regardless of the anticipated and heated debate, frustrations, altercations, exchanging of bitter words and unbecoming behaviour by a few individuals, tempers flare to a boiling point between residents and City Power officials. However, Mashava stood firm and seldom rose to the occasion and the vibrant audience applauded her for well-articulated submissions.

“City Power’s new turnaround strategy to be rolled out on March 13 is the installation of a new electricity overhead cable system. The power supply already set aside a budget to a tube of R9m for our backup plan with enough security in place to patrol the area for 24 hours, plus additional surveillance cameras,” she said.

She ensured residents the new security company will commence its duties to guard the cable in 14 days. However, no bidders or stakeholders for tendering were invited from Naturena to bid for the upcoming project.

Meanwhile, Sekwaila while defusing tensions regarding tendering, said normally the power supply has vendors that create their own database of tender procedures and other major developments.