3 days ago
Private sector stepping up to help metro safeguard electricity infrastructure
MMC for Utilities Frans Boshielo has made an urgent appeal to all residents to assist the municipality in protecting electricity infrastructure across the metro.
Boshielo emphasised that a growing number of private companies are already stepping in to support this effort, including car manufacturer BMW in Rosslyn. BMW has partnered with the municipality to secure the electricity infrastructure in Rosslyn by installing cameras and motion detectors.
'The safeguarding of infrastructure is not just the municipality's job; it's everyone's responsibility.
'We are grateful for companies like BMW and others that are already supporting these efforts,' he said.
One such success story can be found in Pretoria North, where the Van Riebeeck Substation has been fitted with a cutting-edge alarm system to combat cable theft, vandalism and repeated power outages.
The substation has been targeted multiple times. These incidents often leave residents in the dark for days and cause major losses to local businesses and homeowners.
Boshielo said the municipality has thus far received a lot of donations from people in private society and business, who are keen to safeguard the infrastructure in their vicinities to ensure there is no vandalism.
'We are encouraging businesspeople to come forward this way. This is their infrastructure. We need to work together. We have got what we call the Community Upliftment Programme (CUP), where other stakeholders are coming forward to assist.'
Boshielo said the process of wanting to play a role in safeguarding the infrastructure is simple: write a letter to the municipality, and you will receive communication.
'The letter must also include the nature of assistance that businesses and residents want to provide to the metro.
'I can confirm that the metro did receive a donation for the Van Riebeeck substation. Prospective donors came forward and said they want to help us. Such donations and partnerships are assisting us a lot because we are losing a lot more due to cable theft,' said Boshielo.
Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer said cable theft has caused major damage and outages, but with the newly alarmed substation, criminals no longer have a place to steal.
Karen Yssel, a business owner who was instrumental in pushing the project forward, said she was spurred into action after hearing about the break-ins at the substation.
'I decided to help Maximum Security get the necessary authorisation from the municipality to install the alarm system,' she said.
'It was a proactive step that could save the metro millions in infrastructure damage.'
The system at the Van Riebeeck substation includes a wireless security system with door sensors, passive infrared sensors, and outdoor perimeter beams, monitored by a 24/7 control room.
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