Cable theft and vandalism continue to plague the Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley, with the H.A. Morris Substation being a repeated target. Over the past three weeks, the city has endured frequent blackouts due to stolen electricity cables, severely disrupting residents’ lives.
Just this week, criminals broke into the substation and stole oil, further exacerbating the crisis. The ongoing thefts have dealt a heavy financial blow to the municipality, with damages estimated at R6 million in the past week alone. Officials warn that costs could rise even higher as repairs continue.
Municipal authorities are now taking a tougher stance, announcing plans to meet with police next Wednesday to strategize on combating the rampant theft. “I think it’s time to declare war,” a municipal representative stated, signaling an intensified crackdown.
Frustrated residents say they are suffering the consequences of the persistent vandalism. “The streetlight has been fixed so many times, but it keeps getting stolen,” one resident lamented. Others highlighted the daily struggles of living without electricity, from spoiled food to the hardship of bathing in cold weather without power.
In response, the municipality has urged residents to report suspicious activities and is in the process of hiring additional security personnel to protect critical infrastructure.
As the community braces for more potential outages, authorities hope that increased vigilance and stronger law enforcement will finally curb the costly and disruptive crime wave.
