The Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley will have an urgent meeting on Thursday, 16 November, with the police and other stakeholders after yet another vandalism incident at the MacDougall Street and other substations where substantial damage was caused by cable thieves.
This comes after the Mediclinic Gariep and two other hospitals were left without power supply for the second time in two months on Sunday.
Cables worth hundreds of thousands of rands and other components were stolen.
Stephan Deetlefs, hospital manager, says the municipal power at the hospital has been off since Sunday, 12 November, at 10:00.
“During the day, the solar panels provide 50% (300 kW) of the daily need of 600 kW to provide all services in the hospital. The rest of the power is provided by generators. It has a big financial implication to buy diesel to the value of R70 000 daily for the power generators.
“The managers of the three hospitals had an emergency meeting with the Sol Plaatje Municipality on Monday. They confirmed that the police is conducting a forensic investigation into the theft.
“The Sol Plaatje Municipality offered that their security personnel will make regular rounds at the substation to prevent another theft. Core equipment was stolen from the substation, which will take time to replace. The municipality undertook to restore part of the power by Wednesday night as an interim measure.”
Thabo Mothibi, municipal spokesperson, says the heightened vandalism and theft from key mini-substations in the recent weeks and over the weekend is of grave concern.
“Three mini-substations were vandalised and critical components stolen from one of them. The incidents indicate the presence of a crime syndicate being involved, with operatives having good knowledge of the electrical sector. Previously there had been incidents where guards were shot at.”
The police handed back the site after conducting a forensic data collection as part the investigation.
“Whilst working on returning it to full functionality, we hope to temporarily restore power by Wednesday, 15 November.”
He says the repair costs have been exponential.
“Our future cause of action aimed at thwarting these incidents and safeguarding our mini-substations, includes amongst other measures: increased heightened patrolling, armed response, and the introduction of certain technologies.”
He appeals to residents to be vigilant and call the municipality on 053-830-6111, 053-830-6661, or the police on 10111 when suspicious activity at substations are observed.
