Substation theft
Municipality suspects sabotage to the value of R100k
Electrical components valued at R100,000 were stolen at the Western substation in Kings Park last Thursday, and the transformer which was installed late in 2018, was vandalised, resulting in an oil leakage which caused power outages.
The perpetrators reportedly broke one of the back access gates and uprooted copper wires and poles. A portion of the electric fence which had not been working at the time, was removed, 1.25V batteries and a copper part that transmitted oil to the transformer was also stolen.
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) spokesperson Gcobani Msindwana said upon inspection by the technical services personnel, it was discovered there were people who had accessed the substation illegally.
“We discovered that copper components which surrounded the perimeters of the substation had been uprooted. The perpetrators also climbed up the transformer and tampered with vital components that resulted in an oil leakage. We are monitoring the leakage to ensure it is not below a certain level because that could pose a danger to the substation which could shut down as a result, leaving residents connected to it without power. We are also organising transformer specialists from East London to replace all the stolen components. As a temporary measure, we have roped in the services of a security company to keep this place secured 24/7.”
Msindwana said other precautionary measures to ensure there were no further break-ins were the introduction of access cards to the substation, a register of who goes in and out and beams connected to the municipal technical services department that would allow authorisation for persons who need to access the substation.
On Tuesday, Msindwana indicated the transformer had run out of oil due to the leakage, causing it to shut down. He said electricians were on site to remedy the situation that left Madeira, Amberdale, the CBD area and sections of Top Town without power for two hours.
“We appeal to residents and the police to assist us with patrols in the evenings and check substations that supply power to big areas. We are going to have a cluster comprising the police, Eskom, security guards and electricians to visit scrapyards and try to identify the missing components so we are able to open a criminal case.
“We will also assess other substations, such as the one in Mlungisi which had been broken into in 2018.”
Msindwana said the municipality suspected sabotage because the electricians indicated that if the manipulation of the transformer had been done by someone who had no knowledge of it, a fatal incident might have occurred.
“It seems as though whoever was part of this destruction, knew what they were doing, hence we think it is sabotage. We urge anyone with information that could lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators to report it to the police.”