Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Pietr Lotriet and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will urgently push for strengthened protection of Mangaung’s electricity infrastructure by demanding that Centlec immediately deploy additional Safety and Security resources and initiate the process of contracting professional private security for confirmed hotspot areas.
Hilton is a stark example of how this crisis is spiralling beyond control. Overhead cable theft in the area has intensified dramatically, with the same cables near 84 Exton Road cut on the 7th, again on the 9th, and once more during the early hours of the 11th. Several sites, including Long Street and neighbouring roads, have been repeatedly attacked. These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, coordinated assault on the municipality’s already fragile electrical network.
The consequences for communities are immediate and severe. Each stolen cable plunges homes into darkness, forces businesses to halt operations, and exposes neighbourhoods to greater criminal activity under the cover of interrupted lighting. When power is repeatedly cut off, alarm systems fail, local commerce suffers, small businesses lose income, and families feel unsafe in their own streets. This persistent sabotage erodes public confidence and deepens the financial strain on a municipality already struggling to meet basic service delivery obligations.
Hilton’s ordeal reflects the widespread cable-theft epidemic gripping the rest of Mangaung. The municipality is paying a substantial price, both financially and socially, in terms of public trust. The repeated stripping of infrastructure drains resources that should be invested in repairs, upgrades, and community development. Instead, increasing funds are diverted to replace stolen assets, delaying essential service improvements and compounding the municipality’s ongoing instability.
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity or any information that may help identify perpetrators. Reporting incidents promptly to Centlec helps ensure proper tracking, faster response, and prioritised intervention.
The DA will continue to demand accountability and urgent action. We will also call for enhanced cooperation between community organisations, neighbourhood watches, and private security teams to strengthen vigilance and protect vulnerable areas.
Cable theft is not simple vandalism. It is a targeted assault on the safety, stability, and future of Mangaung Metro, and it thrives in an environment where leadership is weak and enforcement is inconsistent.
We will not allow this crisis to go unchallenged.