The Nelson Mandela Bay metro has given notice to six officials in the Electricity and Energy Department to provide reasons why they must not be suspended for allegedly ordering R10-million in copper cables without authorisation.
Metro spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya confirmed that notices to suspend six employees from the Electricity and Energy Directorate had been issued.
“This action follows allegations of gross misconduct related to the unauthorised placement of orders for copper cables and wires, amounting to over R10-million,” he said.
“These allegations are being taken very seriously, and a thorough investigation is currently under way to ensure that all facts are established, and appropriate action is taken,” he said.
The metro has been bearing the brunt of copper cable theft and vandalism for the past few months.
In August 2024 the executive director for the department, Luvuyo Magalela, resigned days before three high-voltage electricity pylons collapsed, plunging large parts of the city into darkness for close to two weeks.
In August and September last year three incident reports were filed regarding the theft of 2,132 metres of cable, which cost the City R250,601.02.
Stolen
On 27 August 2024, 159m of cable valued at R49,046.35 was stolen; on 2 September 1,086m of cable valued at R97,520 was stolen; and on 9 September, 887m of cable valued at R104,034.67 was stolen.
In September a municipal official tasked with inspecting scrapyards for stolen copper cables was arrested for stealing cables from the evidence storeroom. The man worked as a second-hand goods inspector at the municipality.
Read more: Gone in three weekends — thieves lift R250,000 in Nelson Mandela Bay copper cables
A month later President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised a Special Investigating Unit probe into Nelson Mandela Bay’s electricity department, with a special focus on streetlight contracts.
Acting City Manager Mandla George was sent to the city after a request to the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to appoint someone to bring stability to it.
The CEO of the metro’s Business Chamber, Denise van Huyssteen, said George must be commended for taking action to stamp out criminality in the metro. She said the prevention of unplanned power outages was very important to businesses in the city, and they themselves had already had a very constructive meeting about electricity issues with the municipality in January.
DA councillor Ondela Kepe said they too welcomed the decisive action taken by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
“While this is an encouraging step, we will remain vigilant in ensuring that the process is carried out with transparency, accountability, and integrity. The DA will monitor this situation closely and raise critical questions in the Electricity and Energy Standing Committee to ensure that those found guilty face the full might of the law. We will also guard against the ANC-led coalition repeating past mistakes of allowing suspended officials to return to work without fully undergoing investigative and disciplinary processes.
“History has shown us that when accountability is absent, corrupt officials feel emboldened to perpetuate criminal activities at the expense of residents. Crimes of this nature steal directly from the people of Nelson Mandela Bay, diverting resources meant for essential services,” Kepe said. DM