Cable theft nightmare
PROBLEM: Manenberg
Cable skelms have plunged Manenberg into darkness as they stripped and stole high voltage cables and even street poles, costing nearly R2 million to repair.
Manenberg SAPS commander, Brigadier Sanele Zama, raised the alarm about the rolling impact of the theft and called on residents to piemp the thieves.
Calling it a crisis, Zama said cables are stolen just hours after they are installed.
“The cables are dug up and severed while live high power voltage runs through it. This is highly dangerous for the perpetrator as well as the innocent residents.”
He says crafty skelms usually strike at night, leaving people preparing for work stuck without krag.
“The workers of the City of Cape Town respond to repair the damages and they are often then attacked and robbed of their personal belongings.
“This behaviour will not be tolerated. Damage to this critical infrastructure is a criminal offence and must be taken seriously.”
Mayco member for Energy and Climate Change, Beverley van Reenen says between July and November, the City spent more than R2 million repairing and replacing infrastructure damaged by vandalism, theft and illegal connections in the Vanguard district which includes Manenberg.
“In recent months, the City has seen a significant increase in vandalism and damage to its electrical infrastructure in some areas such as Manenberg,” she says.
“Area South is the most affected by electricity infrastructure vandalism. Area South includes Phillippi, Mitchells Plain, Muizenberg, and Wynberg.”
To piemp the skelms, call Manenberg police on 021 699 9400.