15-07-2025
Metro urged to ditch outdated security solutions as cable theft cripples Fountains area
East residents and civic organisations are raising concerns over the metro's plans to allocate over R230-million in security guard contracts to protect assets.
According to AfriForum, this is an outdated method that will drain public funds without effectively protecting assets.
Ward 56 councillor Shaun Wilkinson, whose ward has been battling persistent power outages caused by cable theft, said the time has come for the metro to embrace smarter, more cost-effective solutions.
He added that his residents are constantly affected by infrastructure vandalism and theft, yet the metro remains committed to deploying guards.
'Metro guards are often under-equipped and unable to stop organised criminal syndicates,' Wilkinson said.
'We need to move beyond symbolic security measures and embrace systems that provide real-time monitoring and faster responses.'
Wilkinson said vandalism near the Unisa and Tuks perimeters has a ripple effect, disrupting water and electricity supply, research activities and even the academic reputation of institutions in Pretoria.
He added that current guards, especially those deployed at tourist attractions and power stations, are ill-prepared for the scale of organised theft.
'Even if patrollers are stationed, they are not backed by high-visibility surveillance or rapid response teams. That makes them a deterrent in name only.'
Groenkloof residents are currently contributing money out of their own pockets to buy and install cameras in the area.
This comes after the area has faced back-to-back power outages due to cable theft.
Resident Francois Geringer said it would be great if they could get the metro's help.
'The stolen cables cost more than installing cameras to safeguard the cables.'
AfriForum has launched its own initiatives to protect vulnerable sites and argues that the metro's reliance on traditional guarding contracts is fiscally irresponsible and ineffective in curbing theft.
The organisation's Greater Pretoria North district co-ordinator, Llewellynn Hemmens, said modern technology could achieve far more at a fraction of the cost.
Hemmens said their organisation obtained quotations to secure three substations for under R100 000 using camera systems and smart monitoring tools.
'We are already installing cameras at the first substation as part of a community project, but despite letters and discussions, the metro has shown little co-operation.'
According to Hemmens, AfriForum has offered assistance free of charge or at minimal cost, but their proposals were met with silence while the city pursued 'inflated' guarding contracts.
'This is a clear sign of poor management and a lack of political will,' he said.
'Taxpayers are footing the bill, but the infrastructure remains exposed.'
AfriForum has urged the city to halt new guarding contracts, audit current infrastructure vulnerabilities, and collaborate with civil society on scalable, cost-efficient security solutions.
'The tools exist to turn this around, but the metro needs to act decisively and responsibly,' Hemmens said.
The metro was approached for comment, but had not responded in time for printing.
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