Cable theft costs taxpayers R1,1m

GEORGE NEWS - Cable theft has once again left a wide area in George without power last week.

Between 19:00 and 21:00 on Monday 12 September, the CBD, George industrial area, parts of Thembalethu, Pacaltsdorp, Groeneweide Park, Herold's Bay, Bos en Dal, George South and Delville Park had no power for a period of two hours. In some of the areas, power was restored quicker than in others.

"On being alerted to repeat tripping of one of our 66kV lines, a municipal electrician went out to do a thorough investigation of the situation and discovered that the 66kV line had been damaged with parts of the line missing or lying on the ground," reads a municipal statement on the incident.

"The cost of damage and theft to electrical infrastructure is estimated at R1,1-million. A case of damage to, and theft of electrical infrastructure was opened on 13 September at the Conville Police Station."

As a temporary measure and in order to restore power to the affected areas, the line (located between the N2 and Tamsui substation) was secured and municipal law enforcement officials together with a private security service provider kept guard to prevent further damage or theft.

Mayor Leon van Wyk condemned the theft and vandalism to essential muni-cipal electrical infrastructure.

"George Municipality cannot overemphasise the danger of stealing or tampering with energised cables. We strongly warn the public to refrain from stealing municipal property, as it is not only cause huge losses paid from taxpayers' money, but also poses severe danger to the lives of those tampering with energised cables," he said.

Reward for information

George Municipality will pay a reward of R2 500 to any person who offers information on vandalism and theft incidents that leads to the successful conviction of the perpetrator in a court of law.

The paying of a reward is legal in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act and is seen as a necessary step to combat the expenditure on the repair of vandalised and stolen infrastructure.

These assets are managed by the municipality on behalf of the public and George Municipality requests all our residents to help it look after and protect them.

The public can contact the anti-fraud toll-free number, 0860 044 044, or report vandalism and theft verbally, by email, or any municipal or police telephone numbers. The members of public reporting will have to supply their name and contact details as their testimony may be required for the successful conviction of the perpetrators. Their identity will be protected.

George Municipality calls on the community to assist it in eradicating theft and vandalism, which would allow the municipality to improve service delivery levels and continue to improve the quality of people's lives.