WAKE UP CALL

Security upgrade at city substations urgently needed

THERE is an urgent need to upgrade security measures at substations across the City of uMhlathuze.

This is the sentiment of the city's Electrical and Energy Portfolio Committee delegation, which on Wednesday carried out an oversight inspection of eight of the city's 12 substations.

The aim was to highlight the 'deplorable' conditions at the substations, especially in the wake of numerous costly blow-outs that negatively affected industry and residents.

Portfolio chairperson, Cllr Christo Botha led the inspection, which was attended by Mayor Xolani Ngwezi, municipal officials, industry experts and councillors.

These conditions, the councillor said, were first flagged in a March 2021 security assessment report, which was not acted upon.

‘Nothing was done to correct the problems cited in that report,' said Botha.

'Some issues of concern are securityrelated: entrance gates at some substations are not locked, while at others there is little to no security,' said Botha.

Polaris was inspected first, where parts of the perimeter fence had been breached which, Botha said, could give copper thieves easy access.

‘Something needs to be done quickly but it’s going to cost money,’ said Botha.

According to the industry experts in attendance, overhead conductors found on the ground indicated poor housekeeping, but do not pose a risk.

A municipal official clarified that these would be procedurally disposed of once an ongoing project is concluded.

Cllr Wesley Gcabashe said council on Monday rejected submissions made by the committee that the city’s substations need to be fixed.

‘Council was of the view that the committee’s report was not detailed, which compelled us to conduct this oversight visit, to understand the challenges,' said Gcabashe.

Botha said during earlier site visits he found entry doors to control rooms at some substations left open, and the security system had not been activated.

The city’s operations and maintenance manager, electricity supply Jerome Khambula said employees at substations are trained to ensure control room doors are locked and security systems are armed.

‘But there are some loopholes,’ Khambula said. Adding lighting and security cameras at substations is also necessary, said Botha.

*Open your PixzAR app and scan the framed image to see footage from the inspection

‘We need the money to upgrade security. This is a huge breach in security, and is not how we should treat a national key point,’ said Botha.

According to a municipal official, cable theft has occurred at some substations, and arrests have been made in the past.

However, committee member Dr Nkonzoyakhe Donda was of the view that employees at the substation were implicated.

It is estimated that the assets at Polaris are valued between R300- and R500million, while about R500 000 is spent on security, which Botha said does not make sense.

He said at least R2-million was needed for upgrading security measures at each substation.

At Capella substation, the team found that the security cameras had been stolen, a matter which Botha said should be probed.

Ngwezi said the city’s infrastructure cannot be left ‘vulnerable’ and that an urgent meeting with the harbour was necessary to address issues at Capella.

‘We could sign a memorandum of understanding so we could have control of the substation. We should be meeting each other halfway,’ said Ngwezi.

The mayor was told that fixing the cameras at Capella would cost R29 000.