Criminals have reportedly hit a substation supplying parts of the Bloemfontein city centre twice in as many days and damaged critical equipment, leaving parts of the area without electricity.
Centlec spokesperson Lele Mamatu says the daring criminals forced their entry into the substation on each occasion and caused extensive damage to the equipment.
“On Friday . . . evening the thugs forced entry in one of our substations, Volskas substation in Bloemfontein CBD,” said Mamatu in a statement.
“Today (Saturday) at around 09:00 in the morning, we experienced another forced entry at the same substation.
“This is despite efforts made to restrict unauthorised persons from gaining access into this particular substation.”
Mamatu said upon entry, the vandals damaged an 11KV switch gear leaving parts of the city that are supplied from this point without electricity.
He said Centlec is concerned with the increase in theft and vandalism of its infrastructure within the Mangaung municipal area and urged communities to report any suspected acts of vandalism.
“These acts of vandalism are not only illegal but can result in unnecessary injuries and even death,” said Mamatu.
“We have, in the recent months, intensified our customer education to raise awareness on the dangers of illegal operations on our network as an intervention to reduce such acts but thugs continue to force entry, steal and vandalise our infrastructure.”
He said the company will continue to work closely with the police and other law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to safeguard its infrastructure and to ensure that illegal activities are contained and avoided.
According to the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, 2015, any person who unlawfully and intentionally tampers with, damages or destroys essential infrastructure, or colludes with or assists another person in carrying out such an activity, is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a period of imprisonment of up to 30 years or, in the case of a corporate body, a fine of up to R100 million.
The Act defines “essential infrastructure” as any installation, structure, facility or system providing a basic service and includes publicly or privately owned facilities.
It further defines basic services as the provision of electricity, transport, water, sanitation and communication. – Staff Reporter