Overstrand Municipality has allocated a capital budget of R65.1 million to electricity for 2026-’27. R20.1 million is allocated for upgrading and replacing electricity infrastructure across the region. But the scourge of cable theft remains a major threat to the municipality’s financial plans.
Yet another incident of cable theft disrupted electricity supplies in Voëlklip on Wednesday 9 September. Stolen overhead electrical lines during the night or early evening left parts of the suburb without power.
Households in parts of 3rd and 4th avenue, as well as 4th and 5th streets were affected by stolen cables.
Acting Overstrand Municipal Manager Edward Jantjies, confirmed that the power has since restored on Thursday evening.
Recurring incidents
The incident comes after months of repeated theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure across the Overstrand and wider Overberg. Hermanus Times previously reported on a growing pattern of attacks since May.
In May, the municipality offered a R5 000 reward for information leading to arrests.
Between 8 May and 15 June, at least 16 separate incidents involving cable theft, vandalism and storm-related damage were recorded in various parts of the Overberg. These places include Fisherhaven, Hawston and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
The attacks continued into June, when copper conductors were stolen from Eskom infrastructure in Onrus, leaving Bosplasie residents without electricity.
In July, another theft affected Fisherhaven, Vermont and Onrus River after two spans of copper conductor were allegedly stolen from the Hawston feeder.
Eskom acting Cape Coastal cluster manager Promise Ntuli described copper theft as “a scourge that continues to undermine service delivery, damages critical infrastructure and puts lives at risk”.
Financial consequences
In June, then Overstrand Municipal Manager DrDean O’Neill, said that material loss to Eskom infrastructure were estimated at about R1.43 million. This was in Fisherhaven and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley alone, while municipal infrastructure losses in Hawston added another R1.2 million.
“Combined, the material losses stand at roughly R2.63 million,” O’Neill said at the time.
Furthermore, he added that labour, transport, plant hire and restoration costs could push the total financial impact to between R3.5 million and R4.5 million, with full network restoration potentially exceeding R6 million.
He also warned that the consequences extended well beyond the cost of replacing stolen infrastructure.
“The impact reaches far beyond inconvenience,” he said. He pointed to the impact on businesses who are forced to use generators, residents losing refrigerated food and learners being left without light or internet access.
Call for more vigilance
The municipality has urged resident, business and community organisations to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity involving theft, tampering with or vandalism of electrical infrastructure.
Incidents can be reported through the Collab Citizen App, the municipal Contact Centre on 028 313 8111 or Law Enforcement on 028 313 8996.
