GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Since the end of August, four separate cable theft incidents left residents of Graaff-Reinet without any electricity - in some instances for up to three days. The first incident occurred on 29 August in the Santaville area, leaving residents between Palm and School streets without power.
On 31 August, another incident in Asherville and Geluksdal was reported. Another one occurred on 1 September, again in Asherville, leaving Lupin, Max Spyers, Vink and Tulp streets without electricity.
A few days later, on 7 September, the notice on the municipal WhatsApp Group notified residents that another incident was leaving Reinett Park, Tiny Tots Early Childhood Development Centre and Church of Christ in Swallow Street without electricity.
In the monthly report of the DBNLM Mayor, Willem Safers, he says. "We have serious challenges, and they need serious people to deal with them." He says that the municipality is under siege from criminal elements who vandalise the infrastructure of the municipality.
He also says that with the limited resources at hand, their plans are at a standstill as they continuously have to replace stolen significant materials to supply water and electricity to residents.
Vuyisa Jantjies, spokesperson for the DBNLM comments
"The problem of cable theft is a worrying factor for the municipality and residents alike. We are currently in a process to engage different stakeholders in the criminal justice system to discuss how we can prevent further onslaught on the municipal infrastructure.
We will also run a campaign to educate and inspire vigilance among communities, to also encourage reporting such crimes to the police and the municipality.
"Three incidents of cable theft have already cost the municipality over R300 000 in cable replacements. This money could have been put to better use but is now used to replace cables.
Cable theft carries a sentence of no less than 10 years direct imprisonment, should culprits of such crimes be arrested and successfully prosecuted.
"Prolonged power cuts also increase the possibility of further water supply problems as water pumps are electrical.
Unplanned power-supply problems can have devastating effects for the health of residents that use medical devices such as oxygen machines and other machines.
"BNLM condemns acts of vandalism on significant infrastructure and considers these acts of terrorism as criminal."
The destruction the thieves leave behind is clear.
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