Tough measures to fight izinyoka

MUNICIPAL bosses in Mthatha in Eastern Cape have deployed 24-hour security guards to keep rampant

cable thieves at bay. King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipal spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza yesterday branded cables thieves as “the enemies of service delivery. We cannot just fold our arms,” he said.

“They are hindering development. The security guards will be stationed at theft ‘ hotspots ’ 24 hours a day.”

Mampoza said the municipality replaced stolen cables which were stolen again within days. were putting additional financial strain on the already cash-strapped municipality.

“It [cable theft] affects customers who run up financial losses as their property, especially food, is ruined. Businesses incur huge losses while there is also damage to electrical equipment,” Mampoza said.

Many areas, including the city centre and several suburbs and townships, are also plunged into darkness every time run riot, added Mampoza.

The Daily

Dispatch

reported recently that a KSD document highlighted that more than R8.8-million had been spent on replacing stolen cables and upgrading outdated electricity infrastructure in and around Mthatha between July and September alone.

Mampoza said some of the hotspots include the Thornhill and Hillcrest substations which supply power to many parts of the city as well as near the R230-million Mthatha Stadium.

Local business warned earlier this week that cable theft had the potential to drive away business and investors.

“You can ’ t run a business without electricity, ” said OR Tambo District Chamber of Business president Vuyisile Ntlabati. He said the impact was severely felt by small businesses who could not afford to buy generators in the event of a blackout due to cable theft.

KSD mayor Nonkoliso Ngqongwa, addressing a business and investment expo on Friday, said fighting

was posing a serious problem. She also urged residents to assist by not buying stolen copper.

Earlier this week, the National Prosecuting Authority in Mthatha was allegedly rendered “incommunicado ” after copper cables were stolen near their premises two weeks ago.

Yesterday, Mthatha Ratepayers Association chairman Mzwandile Majova said they welcomed the news that municipal authorities were implementing strategies to try and curb cable theft.

“We are also directly affected by this problem. It is a good move that they have put security guards in hotspots,” Majova said.