An Oberholzer businessman caught a thief on camera this week as the criminal stole a solar light next to his premises in Van Zyl Smit Street.

The footage revealed exactly how criminals use everyday items like long sticks to reach over-head infrastructure.

According to the business owner, Dirk van der Walt, thieves continually target the lights on the side of his business.

During the latest incident, which occurred at about 02:00 on July 4, a thief was captured on camera using a long pole to steal one of the solar lights.

Luckily, a member of the public identified the thief after Van der Walt shared the video footage on social media.

To plunge the area into darkness, thieves frequently steal the lights Van der Walt personally installed. This allows them to target the municipal electrical box and cables.

“I had to pay for a new cable and light myself to make sure that the municipality do the repairs, otherwise the thieves come and steal everything,” said Van der Walt.

He added that some of the problems stem from the fact that many people use the sidewalks in the cordoned-off section of Adorp Street next to his business to relieve themselves, as there are no public toilets in Oberholzer.