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A faulty lightbulb.
Johannesburg’s City Power is calling on the community, patrollers and law enforcement agencies to assist in curbing the increasing incidents of vandalism targeting critical electricity infrastructure in the Lombardy East area and parts of Alexandra.
The power utility has recorded at least four incidents of transformer vandalism last month alone.
Spokesperson Isaac Mangena says these acts result in prolonged power outages, affecting residents and businesses.
“In the past two weeks, residents in various parts of Lombardy east have been subjected to repeated outages. After the supply was restored last week Friday, another case occurred over the weekend from Gresswold substation, affecting customers in Hennie, Byron, Victoria Wellington roads. The area has been off due to a burnt main circuit breaker, which was the result of vandalism. The team is working around the clock to finalise repairs and restore supply as soon as possible.”
Mangena also says such criminal activities result in a huge financial burden for City Power.
“Each of these transformers costs between R800 000 to R1.2 million to replace, excluding labour and installation.”
Mangena says that the power utility had spent over R3 million in two months replacing mini sub-stations that have blown up as a result of overloading in the area.
In response, City Power started cutting off illegal electricity connections at an informal settlement on London Road.
Mangena says illegal connections resulted in continuous power trips in the township.
