This past week, subcontractors of the City of Johannesburg were caught red-handed while sabotaging a substation in Wilro Park, Roodepoort.
The area has been severely affected by cable theft and general power sabotage over the last six months.
Contractors sabotaging infrastructure to create more work for themselves is a new phenomenon.
It occurs mostly after hours or over weekends so as to ensure more overtime work.
The said subcontractors are scheduled to appear in court this week, and the FF Plus feels that this type of crime borders on terrorism.
The Wilro Park neighbourhood in Roodepoort is a favourite area for retirement homes in Johannesburg.
At present, there are two private and one state retirement home in the area.
Many of the pensioners rely on constant, reliable power supply, particularly those who depend on oxygen and other medical equipment for survival.
Moreover, the unscheduled power outages, which fall outside of the load shedding timetable, pose a serious crime risk during the night hours.
The FF Plus proposes that the alleged power saboteurs should, if found guilty, receive an appropriate sentence that would serve to deter others as well.
Read the original article in Afrikaans by Franco de Lange on FF Plus
