A Week in Potch WhatsApp: Power, Pet Alerts, and Pending Bills
- Karen Scheepers
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
This report covers the primary community discussions and service delivery alerts shared across Potchefstroom WhatsApp groups from Friday, December 12, to Wednesday, December 17, 2025. The week was defined by a mix of infrastructure challenges, security warnings, and continued troubleshooting of municipal administrative systems.
💻 Municipal Billing and Cabledocs Update
The Cabledocs online system remains a central topic of conversation as residents work to resolve ongoing access issues.
Server Downtime: Municipal representatives confirmed that the system experienced significant downtime due to a power failure at the server site in Johannesburg.
Troubleshooting Steps: Councillor Anné van Onselen provided detailed instructions for those still facing difficulties. Residents were advised to use the "Forgot Password" function if they are listed as existing users. If the system shows "0 statements," users are encouraged to delete the account link and re-enter the account number exactly as it appears on previous paper statements.
Dedicated Escalation Email: A specific, non-general email address (Cabsa@cabholdings.co.za) has been provided for residents who are still unable to register or reset passwords after following the standard steps. This channel is strictly for system access issues and not for general billing inquiries or meter readings.
⚡ Power Interruptions and Infrastructure Faults
Electricity supply remains inconsistent, with several localized faults reported throughout the week.
Explosion Reported: On Sunday, December 14, residents in the vicinity of Spruit Street reported a loud bang and smoke, suggesting a distribution box may have exploded. This caused outages in the surrounding areas, including Beukes Avenue and Parys Avenue.
Localized Outages: Power failures were noted in Kamp Street (specifically the section between Botha and Smit Streets), Walter Sisulu Street, Mooibank, and OR Tambo Street.
Reporting Protocol: Community leaders continue to urge residents to use the JBM Electricity Hotline (082 385 1888) for official reporting rather than only posting on social groups, as municipal teams require formal logs to dispatch technicians.
🗑️ Refuse Removal and Municipal Logistics
Waste management schedules saw some fluctuations during the public holiday period.
Public Holiday Collection: Despite Tuesday, December 16, being a public holiday, refuse collection continued on the Tuesday route, with teams working overtime to maintain the schedule.
Fleet Concerns: Group members shared concerns regarding the municipal fleet, with reports circulating of another refuse truck being out of commission, potentially impacting service capacity in the coming weeks.
🛡️ Security and Public Safety
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant following several incidents and "fake news" alerts.
Kruis Street Warning: A serious security alert was issued for Kruis Street after a resident caught an intruder on camera lifting a gate off its rail and attempting to force open a window. Residents are reminded to ensure gates are secured against being lifted and to remain alert at night.
Viral Misinformation: A video depicting a vehicle-related crime—claiming to be from Klerksdorp—circulated in the groups. Community members quickly identified that the footage was actually from a March incident in Bloemfontein. However, the advice to keep car doors locked at all times was reiterated as a best practice for Potchefstroom.
General Hazards: An open manhole was reported in Gemsbok Street, posing a risk to pedestrians and motorists.
💧 Water and Roads
Infrastructure maintenance remains a priority for residents as leaks and road conditions are highlighted.
Persistent Leaks: Significant water leaks were reported at Kruis Street 112 and Albert Nel Street 14. In the Kruis Street incident, the volume of water was reportedly enough to create a "dam" at the intersection of Joubert and Kamp Streets, washing away previous repairs to the drainage ditch.
Maintenance Requests: Residents expressed frustration over the state of local roads, particularly when discussing the potential (though unverified) news of mandatory senior driver's license renewals, noting that "making the roads roadworthy" should be a prior municipal focus.
Final Chat
The period of December 12th to 17th highlights a community that is highly engaged in self-reporting and mutual assistance. While technical and infrastructure hurdles persist, the rapid debunking of misinformation and the sharing of practical security tips demonstrate the strength of Potchefstroom’s digital neighborhood watch.
💻⚡🛡️🗑️
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