By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Escalating acts of vandalism and cable theft in Qwaqwa’s Industrial Area 2 have triggered alarm among businesses and authorities, with fears mounting that the wave of destruction could drive away investors and cost jobs.
Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Tumelo Thebe, on Friday visited a vandalised mini-substation at the centre of the crisis, as pressure grows for decisive action to halt the attacks on critical infrastructure.
The mayor’s visit follows urgent appeals from business leaders, led by Joseph Mokhampanyane, who warn that the industrial hub is effectively under siege from organised criminal activity.
Standing at the damaged site, Thebe cautioned that the consequences of continued vandalism would be severe.
“Such incidents can only lead to increased unemployment as they destroy critical infrastructure,” he said, calling on residents to report suspicious activity and assist in protecting public assets.
Businesses say the attacks—largely carried out under the cover of darkness—have become relentless.
Mini-substations are being torched, underground cables dug up and stolen, and industrial buildings stripped of windows, doors, bricks and ceilings.
Persistent water leaks in the area have further worsened conditions, disrupting operations and adding to financial losses.
Mokhampanyane, joined by Suren Ranjith and other stakeholders, is rallying a broad coalition that includes the Free State Development Corporation, police, transport operators and informal traders to confront the crisis collectively.
“Our industrial parks are under serious siege due to criminal activities taking place during the nights,” Mokhampanyane said.
“We risk losing investors, and that will directly affect businesses and jobs in this community.”Ranjith echoed the call for vigilance, urging residents and workers to play an active role in protecting the area.
“Every night thieves are trying to steal cables or vandalise infrastructure. We must take our industrial park back,” he said.
The municipality says interventions are now under consideration following the mayor’s inspection, including the restoration of damaged infrastructure and stronger security measures.
For businesses already under strain, the message is clear: without urgent and coordinated action, Qwaqwa’s industrial base—and the livelihoods tied to it—remain at risk.
