City Power has called for assistance from the South African National Defence Force as the cost of theft and vandalism on their infrastructure is now sitting at more than R160 million for the current financial year. This was announced by the City Power CEO, Tshifularo Mashava, who wrote to the police commissioner Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola for assistance and called for the SANDF to help stop cable theft and protect its infrastructure.

DISASTER LOOMING

Mashava said if there was no immediate intervention, there would be a complete destruction of the power utility's supply due to vandalism. Illegal connections, cable theft and vandalism of transformers were among the biggest issues. "We understand that there's an economic infrastructure task team that is there to assist and support the likes of us in terms of curbing cable theft. So, our appeal is for us to get priority, for us to get the help because we've been trying to do this on our own, with our own security guards. So writing, was for us to just raise our hand and flag and say please pay attention to us." Mashava revealed that, due to breakdowns and crime, City Power had used a year's worth of replacement parts in just three months.

CLEAN UP OPERATIONS

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said following the fire last week on the M1 highway bridge in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, which left some parts of the City without power, they discovered flat 300 metres of copper cables were stolen. The fire was reportedly ignited by thieves attempting to steal copper cables. "City Power security had to exchange gunfire with informal settlers who were attempting to steal the burnt cables after the fire, "said Mangena. City Power said it was still clearing rubble in the 1.2km tunnel where the fire originated. Meanwhile, JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said routes on and off the M1 highway at Smit Street have been closed. "Motorists traveling east and west along Smit Street between Braamfontein and Brixton, accessing the M1 northbound at Smit Street from Braamfontein and accessing Brixton via the Smit Street off-ramps from the M1 north and south will be affected by the road closure," said Fihla.