Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Juanita Terblanche.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in JB Marks has formally opened a criminal case with the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding the ongoing theft and destruction of municipal electrical infrastructure across the municipality (see photos here and here).
The criminal complaint was officially lodged this morning following yet another night of coordinated cable theft incidents that targeted three additional streets within JB Marks.
This action follows the continued escalation of cable theft incidents that have left communities without electricity for extended periods, disrupted businesses, damaged public infrastructure and placed enormous financial pressure on the municipality.
During May alone, repeated incidents of electricity conductor wire theft were reported across several wards, including:
- 14 May – Olivier Street, Ward 5;
- 15 May – Louw Street and Klerk Street, Ward 4;
- 19 May – Hoff Street, Ward 4;
- 21 May – Klerk Street, Ward 4 again; and
- 28 May – Grimbeeck Street, Klerk Street and Smit Street, Ward 4.
The DA believes the scale, frequency and sophistication of these incidents point to organised criminal activity rather than isolated acts of theft. Residents continue to suffer the consequences of prolonged electricity outages, spoiled food, increased household costs and declining service delivery while municipal resources are repeatedly diverted toward replacing stolen infrastructure instead of improving services.
Despite the severity of the situation, serious concerns remain regarding the municipality’s response, accountability measures and whether sufficient criminal cases have been pursued with the urgency required.
The DA’s formal affidavit submitted to SAPS details the ongoing infrastructure vandalism, the devastating impact on communities and concerns surrounding the municipality’s handling of the matter.
The DA has called for:
- a full criminal investigation into ongoing cable theft in JB Marks;
- the identification of possible criminal syndicates involved;
- investigation into illegal scrap metal channels and buyers;
- accountability for failures in infrastructure protection; and
- decisive law enforcement intervention to protect essential public infrastructure.
The DA has further written to the Executive Mayor and the Municipal Manager calling on the municipality to:
- urgently strengthen infrastructure security measures;
- improve hotspot monitoring in high-risk areas; and
- provide Council and residents with transparent reporting on infrastructure losses and the costs associated with repeated cable theft incidents.
As South Africans prepare for the upcoming voter registration weekend, the DA encourages all eligible residents to register to vote and ensure their voices are heard. Communities deserve a government that protects critical infrastructure, prioritises service delivery and acts decisively against criminality that threatens essential services and economic stability.
The people of JB Marks deserve a municipality that safeguards communities, protects public infrastructure and delivers reliable services residents can depend on.