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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Moqhaka Local Municipality is deeply concerned by the relentless wave of cable theft that has paralysed our community and businesses.

Over the past few months, especially in the last four to six weeks, Moqhaka residents, including those in Maokeng and Brentpark, have been severely affected by a rampant surge in cable theft. The consequences are dire – residents and businesses are enduring hours, and in some instances, days without electricity, all due to stolen cables.

Compounding this issue is the municipality's overwhelming debt of one billion Rand owed to Eskom, which severely restricts the ability to replace the stolen cables promptly. In recent weeks alone, we have witnessed approximately 37 reported cases of cable theft.

This relentless theft, coupled with the strain of ongoing load-shedding, not only hampers operations but also poses a significant challenge to residents and businesses. The situation has escalated to the point where even vital Municipal buildings, such as the old Power Station, have been ruthlessly stripped of all infrastructure. The Kroonstad main Post Office, a lifeline for many, has been repeatedly forced to shut down due to theft. Following a recent incident, the Post Office was left vandalised. This is particularly devastating as it is the sole operational Post Office in Kroonstad after the Maokeng Post Office was tragically destroyed during a riot. The closure of the Post Office until further notice leaves SASSA pensioners stranded.

We have joined forces with local neighbourhood watch groups. Together, we are taking decisive action. We have submitted a formal letter and petition to the Local, District, and Provincial Offices of the South African Police Service. In our plea, we are requesting the immediate establishment of a dedicated task team. This team will be tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into these crimes and implementing measures to curb these rampant thefts.

Issued by Linda Louwrens, Johan Geldenhuis and Marelize Boeije - DA Councillors Moqhaka Local Municipality