Booysens SAPS confirmed that a cable thief suspect was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, of which three years are suspended for five years.
In June last year, a member of Nduma Security and his crew were on duty, patrolling in the Nasrec area when they noticed two heads popping up from a trench dug on the side of the road.
Booysens SAPS communication officer, Captain Lorraine van Emmerik said the security officer, when he got out of his vehicle and moved towards the trench spotted a suspect jumping out of the trench to run away. The complainant gave chase and caught one of the suspects.
“The suspect was arrested and brought to Booysens SAPS. The docket was given to Sgt Edmond Rangwanasha to investigate and obtain the relevant information. The suspect was sentenced on May 30.
“Management wishes to thank Rangwanasha for his hard work and dedication in fighting crime. The good conviction shows that in working together we can fight crime and beat the criminals who are stealing cables,” noted Van Emmerik.
Report vandalism and theft
City Power welcomes the conviction of the man to 10-year imprisonment for damage to City Power’s electricity network infrastructure.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the convicted cable thief faced a charge of damage to essential infrastructure, a crime in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, Act 18 of 2015.
“The matter was diligently investigated by the SAPS and successfully prosecuted by the National Prosecution Authority. Throughout the investigation and prosecutorial process, City Power security experts provided the necessary support such as identification, damage assessment statements as well as testifying during the court proceedings until the final verdict was delivered.
“As an entity faced with rampant cable theft, City Power is pleased with the conviction as it will send a strong message to criminal elements preying on our electricity network infrastructure. We believe that we will win the war against cable theft. The security strategies we have put in place, which include collaborative work with communities, law enforcement agencies, and neighbourhood watch, among others, are starting to bear fruits with more arrests made in recent weeks,” he said.
The City Power security management team under the leadership of Sergeant Thela is also hard at work within the Essential Infrastructure Task Teams set up by the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, General Elias Mawela, to combat and prosecute essential infrastructure criminals in the City of Johannesburg and Gauteng Province at large.
“The fight against electricity essential infrastructure crimes requires a multi-dimensional approach and community involvement. Organised criminals are involved in the theft and we are more committed along with our partners to go after everyone in the value chain, including the kingpins,” said Thela.
Residents are urged to report cable theft and vandalism of the electricity network infrastructure to City Power’s 24-hour Security Control Room at 011 490 7900/7911/7553 or WhatsApp 083 579 4497 – text, location and photograph.
