Off to prison for stealing cables

The long arm of the law has snatched a thief who tampered with the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) essential electricity infrastructure.

Mxolisi Hlatshwayo (29) was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court on February 1.

The city’s officials caught Hlatshwayo on June 30, 2022, when he was tampering with cables in a mini substation, containing meters, in Klippoortjie, Boksburg. One meter had already been bridged and removed from the facility.

When confronted about his actions, the man could not give a satisfactory response, forcing the municipal officials, who caught him red-handed, to report the matter to the Dawn Park police. A case of tampering with essential electricity infrastructure was opened and Hlatshwayo was arrested.

The city hails the court’s judgment as a very important milestone and achievement in energy revenue and essential infrastructure protection.

“This is a great milestone that sends a clear message to those stealing municipal infrastructure that it is a matter of time before they will be arrested and sent to jail, where they belong,” said city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

“Tampering with essential infrastructure is a major problem for the municipality. Some people bridge meters while others steal the cables and other electricity gear, leaving people in the dark for days. Sadly, we have people who rely on electricity for survival because of different health conditions, and these actions endanger their lives,” said Dlamini.

“We also have a major problem of illegal connections, made possible by electricity thieves who have a know-how of electricity issues – putting innocent lives at risk.”

The city appeals to the public to assist in the fight against thieves stealing municipal infrastructure.

Dlamini urged members of the public to report criminal activities they see on the city’s essential electricity infrastructure by calling the call centre on 0860 543 000.