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Urgent Intervention Needed in NMB Cable Theft Crisis

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Editor: I recall similar incidents of theft from this facility around 30 years ago – at the time the security were stumped until someone discovered that the thieves were emerging from underground. Apparently they were using the huge pipes that used to transport water along Harrower Road from the North End Lake to the Power Station at the bottom of Mount Road. At the time the municipality welded the drain covers shut and the thefts stopped. Could it be the same MO today?  

Dear Editor

The theft of essential cables from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s warehouse in Gqeberha has reached crisis proportions and has cost the Metro R250 000 over the past three weekends.

The theft of cables from the warehouse has plagued the municipality for more than a year and the fault for this dire situation and utter failure can be placed squarely at the feet of the municipality and its inability to secure the site.

I have written to the acting City Manager to request a swift and effective inter-directorate response as this crisis is not only financially impacting the municipality, but also potentially the safety and security of the residents of Nelson Mandela Bay.

The repeated theft at the warehouse is not just a criminal act, but a clear example of leadership failure in Nelson Mandela Bay. The Metro’s ability to maintain critical infrastructure is being undermined, leaving parts of our city at risk of falling into darkness. Criminality thrives in such conditions and this places the safety of residents at risk.

Over the past three weeks, three separate incident reports have been filed indicating that the Metro has lost 2 132 meters of cable, costing the city more than R250 000.

These incidents of theft are:

  • 27 August 2024: 159 meters of cable valued at R49 046.35
  • 02 September 2024: 1086 meters of cable valued at R97 520
  • 09 September 2024: 887 meters of cable valued at R104 034.67

Thieves, emboldened by weak security measures, have targeted this site with alarming regularity – exposing both municipal employees and the citizens to danger and uncertainty. Yet, what has been the response from the current coalition leadership? Silence.

The DA has proposed the following solutions to the acting City Manager:

  • A new, stronger brick wall around the warehouse to replace the easily breached slab structure.
  • Reinstallation of an electric fence and CCTV cameras to ensure proper surveillance and deterrence.
  • Armed security guards to patrol the property 24/7 and protect the city’s assets.

It’s time to take a stand against this blatant mismanagement. The people of the Metro deserve better, and we will not rest until decisive action is taken to secure our city and get Nelson Mandela Bay working again.

Regards

Cllr Ondela Kepe
DA NMB Spokesperson for Electricity and Energy

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