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The George Municipality said it was deeply concerned about the escalating incidents of vandalism of electrical infrastructure, which it said was posing a serious threat to the overall functioning of the Municipality.
In a statement on Monday, the Director: Electro-technical Services, Bongani Mandla, said with the
the recent implementation of load shedding, these acts of vandalism intensified significantly.
He said since the beginning of the new financial year, over 200 cases of theft and vandalism were opened with the SAPS, compared to 81 cases reported in the 2021/2022 financial year.
"These are just those cases that George Municipality has decided on pursuing, while the number of incidents runs to over 1000 a year."
Mandla said these criminal activities not only disrupt the provision of essential services but also leave entire communities without electricity for extended periods, causing untold hardship and inconvenience.
"In light of these challenges, the George Municipality urgently appeals to the community for their unwavering cooperation and support in curbing electrical infrastructure vandalism."
Mandla said it was time for everyone to "unite and take a stand against these unlawful activities that undermine the well-being and progress of our town."
"We believe that by fostering a sense of unity and collective responsibility, we can successfully overcome the challenges posed by electrical infrastructure vandalism and ensure a safe and reliable electricity supply for all residents of the greater George area," he added.
