The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in the Lesedi Local Municipality (Heidelberg, Viskuil, Devon) demands that the Municipality do more to curb the rise in infrastructure theft.
Over the past few weeks, there has been a significant increase in the vandalism of power boxes in several residential areas in Heidelberg.
Sometimes, six to ten of these boxes are stripped of electricity meters and wiring in a single night and in most cases, residents only become aware of the theft the following morning.
The cost of replacing the stolen electricity meters places additional financial strain on the Municipality, which is already struggling. In addition, repairs could take up to fifteen hours.
The Freedom Front Plus demands that the Municipality repair broken streetlights and cut back vegetation around these utility boxes.
If the Municipality fails to act immediately, it is indirectly complicit in the vandalism, as dark streets and overgrown surroundings create an ideal opportunity for criminals to strip power boxes.
