Residents Urged to Help Fight Vandalism to Electricity Infrastructure in Mitchells Plain

The City of Cape Town's Electricity Department and Metals Theft Unit (Copperheads) urge residents to help them in their fight against the high levels of vandalism to electricity infrastructure currently experienced in the Mitchells Plain area.

According to Alderman Clive Justus, Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services, there has over the past few weeks been a sharp increase in incidences where steel legs have been stolen from the ring main unit (RMU) at electricity substations in specifically the Rocklands area of Mitchells Plain.

Justus said that these thieves place hundreds of people's lives at risk and cause a major inconvenience for the people who are left without electricity for hours because of their actions.

"Once the legs have been removed, the live RMU collapses and malfunctions causing a prolonged outage in the areas it supplies. Not only can such a collapsed unit electrocute people in close proximity to it, it can also explode and cause a fire which could easily spread and burn down properties around the substation," said Justus.

The cost of replacing a vandalised RMU is approximately one hundred thousand rand (R100 000).

Assistant Chief Neil Arendse, Head of the Copperheads, said that they are working closely with Electricity Services in this regard. "The Copperheads have devised a new strategy that is aimed at stopping this vandalism from taking place. We have already started implementing this strategy and hope that we will be able to catch the perpetrators soon."

Justus urged the public to partner with the City in the fight against vandals by being alert at all times. "Communities must take ownership of the infrastructure that service their areas and report any suspicious persons at substations, or any suspicious activities taking place at or near Electricity Services infrastructure. We are grateful for each and every tip-off we receive that may prevent vandalism to our infrastructure from taking place," said Justus.

The public can report such incidences or give tip-offs to the City's Copperheads on 0800 222 771, Electricity Services on 0800 220 440 or 0800 037 566 for Eskom areas, or the South African Police Services on 10111.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town