‘They Dig in Broad Daylight’ – Councillor Slams Inaction on Cable Theft

Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality is losing millions to cable theft at Ezibeleni Industrial Park, with a DA councillor accusing the municipality of failing to act despite repeated warnings about an alleged syndicate operating in broad daylight.

Ward councillor Sakhumzi Mkhunqe said he had repeatedly reported the vandalism to municipal officials, but no arrests had been made. He claims a group is systematically digging trenches and stripping all cables from the industrial park.

Speaking to Komani News Mkhunqe said the inaction was costing both the municipality and local businesses.

“This is costing the municipality millions, but these people are not arrested. They are digging and removing the cables during the day and no one cares,” he said.

“This is costing the municipality millions, but these people are not arrested. They are digging and removing the cables during the day and no one cares,” Mkhunqe said.

He warned that unless urgent action is taken, the vandalism of municipal infrastructure will continue unchecked.

Municipal spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa acknowledged that cable theft remains a major problem in Enoch Mgijima, citing it alongside illegal connections as the two main causes of power interruptions.

“A number of power interruptions are caused by two main factors, cable theft and illegal connections. It is suspected that there is a clandestine market where the copper cables are sold,” Kowa said.

According to Kowa, progress has been made in some areas. Earlier this year four suspects were caught in the act and a criminal case was opened, with a private security company instrumental in the operation.

He said theft and vandalism at substations had dropped after the municipality hired a 24/7 security company to guard them.

“It is however impossible to have security for all cables,” Kowa added.

Kowa noted that most cable theft incidents happen at night, making arrests difficult. No further details were given on investigations into the Ezibeleni Industrial Park syndicate alleged by Mkhunqe.

Ezibeleni Industrial Park houses small manufacturers and workshops that rely on stable electricity. Repeated outages from cable theft have disrupted operations and pushed repair costs higher for the cash-strapped municipality.

Mkhunqe is calling on the municipality to increase patrols and work with police to dismantle what he describes as an organised syndicate targeting the area.