There is an increase in incidents of destruction of electrical infrastructure that leaves people without electricity in areas under the Mhlathuze Municipality.
This month two power stations were destroyed, leaving many areas without electricity near the port that is the center of KwaZulu-Natal’s economy, Richard’s Bay, and Mpangeni. The municipality urged the police to investigate these incidents.
This week the Aquila power station, located in Richard’s Bay, was vandalized. The municipality said that the damage caused to the station is extensive, and said that they do not know when it will be repaired. The destruction of the electrical infrastructure has left the area of Tabakabe, Arboretum, in complete darkness.
Two weeks ago, the electrical infrastructure at the Vega power station was destroyed. The destruction of this infrastructure disrupted the electricity supply in Madlanzini, Birdswood and Veldenvlei. In some places where the electricity was interrupted, it was restored after four days.
The mayor of the municipality, Mr. Xolani Ngwezi, said that the destruction of infrastructure continues even though they have strengthened security.
“It is clear that there are people who are willing to destroy the infrastructure, even though we have strengthened the security at the power stations. We urge people to report if they see anything suspicious happening at the power stations.”
Ngwezi appealed to the police to act on the matter.
“It is clear here that there are many people involved in this crime. This crime is disrupting the delivery of needs and it is just disrupting the people who built the council.”
This month, three men were arrested for being caught with electric cables in Mhlathuze.