Three contractor workers arrested for alleged City Power cable theft in Joburg CBD
The workers were arrested after they were caught allegedly stealing City Power copper cables from an open trench.
Three contractor workers have been arrested for allegedly stealing City Power copper cables and damaging municipal infrastructure in the Johannesburg CBD, according to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).
The arrests followed an operation by the JMPD By-laws Management Unit (BMU) at the intersection of Bree and Delvers streets on July 17 after officers received a tip-off about suspected cable theft in progress.
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According to the JMPD, officers responded immediately and found two suspects allegedly cutting copper cables from an open trench, while a third suspect waited nearby in what police believe was the getaway vehicle.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were employed by a company contracted by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to conduct land surveying along Bree Street.
The JMPD alleged that, instead of carrying out their duties, the workers noticed an exposed electrical copper cable in the trench and attempted to steal it.
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A search of their white Renault Kwid allegedly uncovered electrical copper cables hidden in the boot. Officers also found one of the suspects in possession of an airgun.
City Power officials were called to the scene and positively identified the recovered cable as City Power property.
The three suspects were arrested and detained at Johannesburg Central SAPS. They are expected to face charges of possession of suspected stolen property and malicious damage to City property.
The Renault Kwid allegedly used in the commission of the offence was impounded and booked for further investigation.
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The JMPD commended the swift response of its By-laws Management Unit officers and reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to infrastructure vandalism and the theft of municipal resources.
“The department reiterates its zero-tolerance stance on infrastructure vandalism and the theft of City resources, especially by individuals entrusted to work within municipal projects. We will continue to safeguard the City’s infrastructure to ensure the safety and service delivery of our residents,” the JMPD said in a media statement.
