MMC for Environment & Infrastructure Service Department (EISD) Councillor Michael Sun has taken part in three community patrols the past fortnight with residents protecting City Power infrastructure from thieves in Eldorado Park, Ennerdale, Doornkop and Green Village.

“Walking shoulder to shoulder with these brave residents of Joburg is an honour. Leaving the safety of their homes every night to patrol & protect City’s infrastructure and the safety of the community.” Sun said.

Operations have been conducted in tandem with City Power security and the JMPD’s infrastructure protection unit with each patrol encountering fresh instances of vandalism and attempted theft. 

“I am devastated to see the level of destruction of our electrical infrastructure. But I am glad and grateful that so many good men & women willing to sacrifice their time to ensure the safety of the community & infrastructure,” Sun said.

“While many of us are sitting in our lounges, keeping warm and decrying the challenges we are facing, these brave residents want to be part of the solution.” 

MMC Sun is encouraging other communities keen and able to form or join patrols in their own neighbourhood to prevent cable theft and vandalism. In the short term the department of EISD will also seek to support and resource such initiatives as part of a multi-pronged strategy with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to end the siege on City Power infrastructure by thieves and criminals.

“The City of Johannesburg is spending millions of rand a month on infrastructure that is being carried away daily by thieves. This is not normal and cannot continue. We will work with communities to beat them. Together we can win, Sun said. 

“I will be taking this initiative of Infrastructure Protection Patrols across Joburg and engaging with many communities protecting their infrastructure as part of our strategy to fight cable theft and Infrastructure vandalism. We need to unite as many stakeholders as possible to fight this scourge across our entire city.”

 

Issued by City of Johannesburg MMC Environment and Infrastructure Services, Cllr Michael Sun