Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe has taken a hard stand against vandals damaging critical municipal infrastructure.
On Thursday, Lobishe announced at a council meeting the metro had opened a case at the KwaNobuhle police station after thieves destroyed a 66kV cable that plunged the township into darkness.
This comes after 66kV cables were vandalised in a manhole on the Mabandla Bridge on Tuesday.
Video footage circulating on social media on Tuesday showed thick black smoke and flames coming out of the manhole.
Lobishe said the municipality would no longer “cuddle” vandals.
“We have reported a case for those stolen cables,” the mayor said.
Police spokesperson Lt-Col Siphokazi Mawisa said a case of damage to infrastructure was being investigated.
No arrests had been made.
“The police can confirm that suspects attempted to steal copper power cables during the night.
“It is alleged that the cables caught fire when they were cut, causing a power outage in KwaNobuhle.”
Earlier in the week, angry residents stormed the homes of those they suspected had left them without power.
The residents accused the suspects’ parents of allegedly shielding them from their actions.
During a post-council briefing, Lobishe said excavation had started, as the city was able to find parts needed to start the job of reconnecting the township back to the grid.
“By Sunday, the connection should be done,” she said.
“We anticipate that by Friday, we should be ready.
“The days can be revised. It will depend on the work.”
The power outage in KwaNobuhle has not only affected residents but also the township’s six healthcare facilities, including Laetitia Bam Day Hospital which provides 24-hour services.
Eastern Cape health spokesperson Siyanda Manana said the Silvertown, Edameni, Isolomzi, Mabandla, and Nomangesi Jayiya clinics had been plunged into darkness.
“The outage has resulted in crucial equipment such as X-ray machines, suction machines, nebuliser machines, haemoglobin machines, scans for ultrasound, resuscitation machines in cases of emergency, and blood pressure machines not being functional.
“Latitia Bam has been the hardest hit of the six facilities.
“To ensure that vaccines are not spoiled, vaccines for immunisation, rabies, oxytocin, insulin, HIV drugs, immunoglobulin, RH kit and hepatitis B had to be stored at the Uitenhage Provincial Hospital [UPH].
“Staff are unable to retrieve patients’ files as they are stored digitally using our in-house developed HMS2 [system].
“Patients were also transported to UPH and Rosedale Clinic to ensure those in need of healthcare services continue to enjoy them.”
Manana said the suspects who allegedly stole the electricity cables had suffered serious burns.
“They were initially treated at the same Latitia Bam CHC [Community Health Centre] they are suspected of sabotaging before they were transferred to a higher level of care because of the extent of their burn wounds.”
HeraldLIVE
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