Bonteheuwel residents are fed up of the inconvenience that comes with power outages, first having to deal with load shedding and now cable theft.
According to IOL, Bonteheuwel ward councillor, Angus McKenzie, addressed this frustration by saying: “Ongoing cable theft in Bonteheuwel is the primary reason why our lights are out, our streets are dark and there is a possibility of criminal acts taking place.
“As a community, we know who these individuals are. It is clear as this vandalism is taking place in broad daylight. These Spiderman wannabes are willing to risk the most shocking experience life can offer for residents to be placed in a position of no electricity for a sustained period of time.
“It is sad, because we have legislation in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act that allows for no bail and a minimum 15-year sentence for crimes such as cable theft,” he added.
Bonteheuwel Ratepayers and Tenants Association chairperson, Nadia Mayman Degrass had this to say about the matter:
“This has a negative impact on small businesses in the area whose livelihood depends on having the power to remain open, as well as households that are hurled into darkness for up to 48 hours.
“As an association, we have called on the City a long time ago, on numerous occasions, to close down illegal scrapyards. There is no security safeguarding or visible policing in the areas where there are cables.
“Community members call on Law Enforcement when these acts take place. They refer to police, who respond two days later. Illegal scrap yards create a market for cable theft,” Mayman Degrass added.
On the other hand, IOL also reports that Bishop Lavis CPF chairperson, Graham Lindhorst, mentioned that the police cannot do anything if members of the community are not willing to come forward to open a case.
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