Police clamp down on cable theft with 20 arrests in Kempton Park
The suspects were linked to cable theft in Kempton Park extensions 2 to 4, as infrastructure crimes continue to disrupt electricity supply.
The SAPS’ Essential Infrastructure Unit (EIU) in Ekurhuleni confirmed that 20 people were arrested for cable theft in Kempton Park, exts 2 to 4, this year.
This confirmation comes in response to a formal inquiry seeking clarity on the extent of cable theft in the area and the steps the SAPS has taken to address the ongoing issue.
The thefts have left residents without electricity for extended periods, as well as disrupted the local businesses and infrastructure.
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According to the SAPS, 20 cases of cable theft have been placed on the court roll since January 2020, with eight suspects convicted.
The EIU, responsible for protecting critical public assets such as electrical cables, substations and water lines, continues to face pressure as these crimes grow more sophisticated and co-ordinated.
While many in the community remain frustrated by the recurring outages and slow repair turnarounds, the SAPS say it remains committed to tackling infrastructure-related crime.The police shared no new reporting procedures, but urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activity.
They can do so anonymously by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or by contacting their nearest police station.
