In recent years, South Africa has been experiencing chronic electricity blackouts. This comes after ESKOM’s failure to deliver sufficient energy supply.
The DA is concerned about some of the factors that contribute to interruptions to power supply. These factors include cable theft, illegal connections and the mushrooming of scrap yard centres that buy stolen cable and other copper components.
I will submit parliamentary questions to the Minister of Community Safety in the Western Cape, Dan Plato, to inquire about the measures that are in place to deal with the constant theft of cables as well as the illegal electricity connections. I will also inquire about the scrap yards that contribute to the stealing of cables, specifically about what measures are in place to curb the trade of illegally acquired goods.
The City of Cape Town Electricity Services Director, Les Rencontre, briefed the City Council’s Portfolio Committee on Utility Services on how the City had lost more than R140 million, in the last financial year, as a results of theft and illegal connections. As such, we urge community members to report cable theft, illegal connections and scrap yards that deal in these illegally obtained goods.
Constant cable theft has a negative impact on the provincial economy as businesses are left without power and people are delayed from reaching their jobs. The cost to repair power lines runs into the millions each year and these are funds that could be better spent improving services delivered.
Although policing is a national competency, we must work together to ensure that we curb the interruptions to energy supply, that are related to acts of crime.
Media enquiries:
Nceba Hinana MPP – 071 671 2432
Chairperson Standing Committee on Petitions in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
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