RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - The Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM) is asking the community to help them curb the surge of vandalism, the theft of critical electrical infrastructure and illegal connections in Rustenburg and surrounding areas.
Some of the acts causing the most disruption currently are:
• Theft of transformers
• Vandalism of minisubs where transformer oil is drained out, resulting in transformers being damaged and blowing out
• Vandalism of substations
• Vandalism of traffic lights and theft of cable
• Theft and vandalism of streetlights
• Theft of electrical cables and house connections
• Theft of substation fencing
• Illegal electricity connections
• Tampering and bypassing of electrical meters
• Tampering and damaging electricity supply meter boxes
“These acts have a negative impact on the security of electricity supply, and the safety of the general public. Stolen and vandalized equipment result in prolonged electricity outages, impacting negatively on the electricity restoration times. Vandalized streetlights have contributed to making Rustenburg dark at night, compromising the safety and security of our residents,” says Andrew Seome, a spokesperson for RLM.
Seome adds that vandalized traffic lights and the theft of cables have contributed to traffic congestions and accidents, particularly on busy intersections.
“The Municipality is thus calling on all members of the community to assist in curbing this scourge. People are encouraged to be on the lookout at all times for any suspicious activities around Municipal electrical infrastructure. Report any suspicious activities to the Rustenburg Local Municipality on 014 590 3221 / 3304, Community Policing Forums and to the South African Police Services (SAPS) on 014 590 4115 / 4116 / 4117,” Seome concluded.
