Please find attached soundbites in English by Cobus Nortje
– Continued vandalism of the Munic Substation electrical cables is disrupting electricity supply in Ward 18,
– ANC-led Rustenburg Local Municipality has failed to secure critical infrastructure despite repeated incidents,
– Promised interventions, such as the 33kV overhead cable installation, remain incomplete and unaccounted for.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly condemns the continued failure of the ANC-led Rustenburg Local Municipality to secure critical electricity infrastructure following yet another act of vandalism on the electrical cables supplying the Munic Substation. (See photos here, here, here, here, and here).
This latest incident marks the second act of vandalism within a week, once again leaving residents, businesses and investors in Ward 18 vulnerable to prolonged electricity disruptions and uncertainty.
Municipal officials had previously presented plans and timelines aimed at stabilising electricity supply through the Munic-Waterkloof network. Residents were assured that interventions were underway to improve reliability and prevent recurring outages. However, these promises have once again been exposed as little more than commitments on paper while critical infrastructure remains unprotected and susceptible to criminal activity. (See photo here)
Adding further concern is the municipality’s failure to install the overhead 33kV cable at the affected location, despite commitments that the work would be completed over a month ago. The DA in Ward 18 has repeatedly requested feedback from the MMC responsible regarding the status of the installation but has been met with continued silence and a lack of accountability. Had this critical intervention been prioritised and implemented as promised, the current situation may have been mitigated.
The continued vandalism of strategic electrical infrastructure demonstrates a serious failure in planning, security and execution. Residents and businesses cannot be expected to endure repeated outages while the municipality merely revises timelines and issues explanations after every incident.
The DA calls on the municipality to:
- Immediately provide a full report on the extent of the damage and expected restoration timelines.
- Explain why the promised overhead 33kV cable installation has still not been completed.
- Implement urgent security measures at vulnerable electricity infrastructure sites.
- Work with law enforcement agencies to ensure those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted.
- Present a credible and funded infrastructure protection plan to prevent future incidents.
Residents deserve a government that delivers solutions, not excuses.
Under a DA government, we will deliver results, not promises on paper. We believe in proactive infrastructure maintenance, effective security measures, accountability and reliable service delivery that protects communities and supports economic growth.
The people of Ward 18 deserve electricity security, not recurring crises.