Alleged cable thieves remanded in custody
Two suspects who had been caught red-handed stealing cables appeared in the Lydenburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
LYDENBURG – Two suspects who had been caught red-handed stealing cables, appeared in the Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. The case was postponed to July 16 for further investigation and they were remanded in custody.
The culprits were nabbed by Sun Security on Monday June 20 and were later detained by the local SAPS. The local security company received a tip-off from one of its customers.
The accused had removed almost all the cables in the Lydenburg extension area. They had emptied the electricity transformers and destroyed the street lights.
The land that was vandalised belongs to the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA). They bought it from the local municipality a few years ago.
MEGA spent approximately R36 million on roads, electricity, water, and sewer-reticulation infrastructure. According to
Mr Xola Sithole, the CEO, the agency
was aware of the estimated damage of
R1,5 million.
“We are waiting for the record of decision (ROD) from the environmental authorities to commence the reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure which will also ensure increased security. The record is expected by the end of July and we are planning to build approximately 4 000 stands.
“As soon as the ROD has been released, the contractor will move on site, the damaged infrastructure will be restored and the site will be secured.”
