Rampant Cable Theft Cripples Ekurhuleni

Media Statement by Cllr. Simon Lapping — DA Spokesperson for Water, Sanitation and Energy in Ekurhuleni

Date: 6 February 2024

Release: Immediate

Type: Media Statement

It is becoming clear that under the ANC/EFF dooms day coalition, the City of Ekurhuleni has no plans to tackle the scourge of cable theft that is occurring across the city on a daily basis and plunging the city into darkness.

Residents and businesses are bearing the brunt of poor leadership and the complete lack of political will to protect the city’s vulnerable infrastructure. Currently, while its lights out for communities, the city is also crippled financially but yet the dooms day coalition fiddles.

The striping away of municipal infrastructure is tantamount to treason, and while the EFF-led coalition recently granted a R2 billion security tender to protect municipal infrastructure, this money is being wasted through the appointment of politically connected security firms in provinces like Limpopo, far way from the City of Ekurhuleni.

The DA stands united with the communities of Ekurhuleni. It is for this reason that we have launched a petition calling for the EFF coalition of destruction to put their egos aside and appoint Security companies that operate in the local areas.

We demand that the electricity department contract security services that are localised within each community and operate within that community. BBBEE requirements must not be a factor in selecting security services — this will ensure that local security companies who are familiar with local areas are used.

This will go a long way in ensuring the safe guarding of municipal assets as well as give EMPD access to crucial crime information on the ground.

The DA encourages all members of the community to sign our petition here: PETITION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICITY IN THE CITY OF EKURHULENI (google.com)

Cllr Simon Lapping

DA Spokesperson for Water, Energy and Sanitation

078 350 5063