Cable theft rampant along KZN coast
Copper cable theft, especially along railway lines, poses a major threat to infrastructure. The recent sentencing of five cable thieves comes as a welcome victory in an ongoing battle.
Five cable thieves from KwaZulu-Natal were recently sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. The victory is welcome reward for authorities fighting a daily battle to prevent the destroying of infrastructure, like when Ballito was recently left without electricity after theft at a key substation.
Cable thieves sentenced to 10 years in prison
Zefania Bhululu (32), Mike Chauke (28), Izek Mapamo (25), James Mawoza (27) and Mzomhle Thathi (26) were arrested after police officials discovered pieces of copper cable in the boot of their Toyota Quantum.
Hawks spokesperson, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, says the copper cables were revealed to have been stolen from Transnet railway lines in Mahlabathini.
The five accused were sentenced to 10 years in prison in the New Castle Regional Court and were further declared unfit to possess firearms.
Concerns as KwaDukuza-Durban railway line becomes harvesting ground for cable thieves
Umhlali police spokesperson, Captain Vinny Pillay says cable theft, with railway lines targeted the most, is becoming a big issue.
With passenger trains at a standstill for the past year, the railway has become an easy target.
Balito left without electricity following cable theft
Last week, Ballito experienced widespread power outages after two men raided the Ballito substation on Allen Drive near Townsend Park.
One of the men was caught by security officers after an alarm at the substation tripped.
A scrapyard dealer says that although strict measures should be in place to prevent the buying of stolen scrap, a lot of businesses choose to look the other way.
A kilogram of copper can reach up to R95.
He also says that not all stolen cables are sold. They are often used for illegal electricity connections.
Two suspected thieves were arrested for copper and alliminium theft in Doonside, Amanzimtoti over the weekend.
One of the arrests were made after a vigilant resident reported suspicious activity.
Telecommunications infrastructure provider Openserve, quoted figures from the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, estimating the economy loses between R5- to R7b per year to cable theft.
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