The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Msunduzi welcomes confirmation from the municipality that there is no policy requiring residents to pay for stolen cables outside their property.
This conclusion comes after a prolonged and determined effort by residents and DA Ward councillors to challenge the unfair practice of being held liable for theft occurring beyond their boundaries.
The DA had received numerous complaints from residents, who had alleged that when they reported cable theft that was causing outages in their communities, they were expected to pay 50% for the replacement of the cables and only then can the municipality act.
We welcome this outcome as a victory for residents who have tirelessly fought for justice. The municipality’s acknowledgment ensures that individuals are not unfairly burdened with costs for thefts occurring in public or municipal spaces. This decision restores accountability to the rightful authority and protects residents from undue financial strain.
The municipality has confirmed the following:
– Outside Property: Residents will not be held responsible for stolen cables outside their property. The Municipality has agreed that no such policy exists.
– Inside Property: If cables are stolen within the boundaries of a resident’s property, the responsibility remains with the property owner.
This marks the end of a long-standing dispute between residents and the municipality, bringing clarity and fairness to the issue.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant within their own properties, while the municipality must uphold its responsibility to secure and maintain infrastructure in public areas.