By Sonica Naudé-Steyn
On Friday an interruption to the electrical supply was experienced by the majority of Kokstad town from about midday. The Greater Kokstad Municipality’s electrical team worked tirelessly to find and fix the fault, only to discover that cable theft had caused the blackout.
According to the electrical department, the medium voltage cable between Wylde Road and Barclay Street in Elliot Street was hacked which led to the power outage. Nearby residents reported hearing loud bangs, seeing sparks and light flashes which seemingly came from the area of theft. The electrical team worked late into the night, completely restoring all power by around 22h00.
A local farmer also reported cable theft along the N2 and in the Karg’s Post and Franklin area over the weekend, claiming that it was the work of a syndicate. According to the information, the thieves knock transformers off poles, forcing them open and removing any copper within. The farmer claimed that at least four transformers were vandalised over the weekend, causing power interruptions and damage to Eskom electrical infrastructure.
It is further alleged that the thieves have knowledge on electrical systems and manage to isolate the point of theft. This not only causes damage but an unstable and unsafe connection which could cause severe injury.
Community members are warned to be wary of any damaged or vandalised electrical infrastructure and to report such issues to either the Greater Kokstad Municipality (in town) or to Eskom (farms and out of town borders).
- Thieves vandalised a cable in Elliot Street on Friday causing an interruption in the electrical supply.
- . Damage to electrical transformers and infrastructure, believed to be caused by a theft syndicate.
