City power raises alarm as Joburg suburbs hit by cable theft
City Power has raised concern over increasing trend of cable theft in Johannesburg, particularly in Observatory.
Several households have been left without electricity after criminals targeted the cables.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the power utility says it is working to restore power to affected customers.
"This cable is vital as it delivers electricity from the grid directly into the property, without it homes are effectively disconnected from the power network,"
"A service cable is the critical link between City Power’s infrastructure and a customer's premises"
"It runs from the electricity pole to the customer's boundary wall and can either be suspended overhead or buried underground"
Mangena said technicians recently responded increased calls to replace multiple stolen service cables in Observatory and other parts of the city.
In February this year, six suspects were arrested for possession of suspected stolen copper cables at the Observatory Substation, the suspects were employed by a contractor.
SUSPENSION OF SERVICES IN VEZINYAWO
Meanwhile, the utility has condemned alleged criminal activity in Vezinyawo, Alexandra, after technicians were allegedly held hostage and obstructed their work on Monday.
The technicians were trying to install and register electricity meters.
"The Johannesburg Metro Police Department, South African Police Service, and TSS Security Services were immediately dispatched to the scene. Tow trucks were also arranged to move the stranded bakkies to the nearest City Power Service Delivery Centre," Mangena said.
He condemned the criminality, adding that the utility will not proceed with any restoration work or any other services in the area, until all meters are installed.
