Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Willie Theunissen and Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP.
Cable theft in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality has surged, wreaking havoc on electrical infrastructure and household appliances due to unstable voltage. The Democratic Alliance is committed to proactive measures to significantly reduce cable theft in the region.
While promising complete eradication would be unrealistic, we firmly believe that employing preventive strategies will lead to a substantial decrease in cable theft, thus ensuring better maintenance of electrical infrastructure.
Our proposed action steps are as follows:
- Securing Infrastructure: Erect physical barriers like fences and protective covers around vulnerable areas, while deploying security guards at key points.
- Enhancing Security Measures: Install surveillance systems such as cameras and alarms to monitor and detect suspicious activities around electrical infrastructure.
- Marking Cables: Utilise identifying markers or tags on cables to facilitate easier tracking of stolen items and deter potential thieves.
- Conducting Regular Inspections: Ensure routine inspections of infrastructure and equipment to promptly identify signs of tampering or damage.
- Increasing Community Awareness: Educate the public on the repercussions of cable theft and the significance of safeguarding electrical infrastructure.
- Collaborating with Law Enforcement: Partner with local law enforcement agencies to report theft incidents and investigate illegal activities.
- Implementing Technological Solutions: Explore advanced technologies like smart sensors or GPS tracking to monitor and safeguard electrical infrastructure.
- Maintaining Records: Keep comprehensive records of cable inventory, repair or replacement activities, and theft incidents to prevent future occurrences.
- Encouraging Reporting: Foster a culture of reporting among employees, contractors, and the public to curb further damage to electrical infrastructure.
- Establishing a Dedicated Reporting Line: Introduce a dedicated WhatsApp line for reporting suspicious behaviour.
We will present these steps to the Municipal Manager recommending that funds be allocated to ensure that cable theft across Dihlabeng is monitored and prevented.
A centralised police force under an incompetent central state, that abuses the law enforcement apparatus for party political ends, has resulted in the progressive collapse of policing in South Africa. To effectively deter crime, a core commitment of the DA is to decentralise the police service and ensure more local accountability.
The most sustainable path to implementing these measures is by voting for the DA in the forthcoming National and Provincial elections on 29 May.