City Power records multiple wins in fight against cable theft and vandalism
The eight-year direct imprisonment will send a strong warning and serve as a deterrent to other would-be copper cable thieves.
City Power is responding positively to the call by Department of Environment Infrastructure Services MMC Michael Sun for the reduction in copper cable theft and vandalism by 20% in the next six months.
In a period of six days, multiple arrests have been made in various areas. Two criminals were also found guilty for damage to and theft of essential infrastructure crimes at Booysens Magistrate’s Court and sentenced to eight years’ direct imprisonment.
On January 14, two suspects were nabbed in Chloorkop, Kempton Park, while preparing to sell copper cable to a scrap metal dealer.
The suspects, who are allegedly sub-contracted to City Power, were working at Robertsham substation, which was gutted by a fire in October 2021.
The suspects were spotted by security personnel loading cable into a crane truck. A mobile security team was activated and stealthily tailed the truck to Chloorkop.
The suspects off-loaded the cable and started to cut and skin it. The security officers pounced and arrested two suspects, a South African and a Zimbabwean. Two other Zimbabwean suspects fled the scene and are still at large.
About 15m of single-core copper cable valued at about R6 000 was recovered. The suspects were detained at Sebenza Police Station, where a criminal case of theft of essential infrastructure was opened.
On January 12, two suspects who were arrested on November 12 last year for damage to and theft of essential infrastructure at a Transmission Sub-Station at 13 Alzia Avenue, Glenvista, appeared in Booysens Magistrate’s Court.
The suspects were handed eight years’ direct imprisonment, respectively. The suspects damaged and stole three core jumper cables that resulted in power outage which affected 180 customers.
The sector policing forum, in collaboration with community patrollers and various security companies, responded to the incident and arrested the suspects.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said they are pleased with the successes to turn the tide against copper cable thieves and vandals.
“The eight-year direct imprisonment will send a strong warning and serve as a deterrent to other would-be copper cable thieves.
“Partnership with communities, sector policing forums, the security industry and law enforcement agencies are the only sustainable solution to protect our electricity network infrastructure.
“As part of our resolve to reduce copper cable theft and vandalism by 20% in the next six months, City Power will be cultivating more partnerships with various stakeholders,” he said.
Customers are urged to report copper cable theft and vandalism incidents to City Power Security Control Room at 011 490 7900/7911/7553 or the nearest police station.
