Tshwane metro yet to decide on how to deal with cable theft issues

No decisions have been made yet on how to deal with the ongoing scourge of cable theft, which is said to be costing the Tshwane metro over R5 million a month, Centurion Rekord reports.

This follows after a meeting between mayor Solly Msimanga Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba and an Ekurhuleni metro representative last week to discuss the problem.

READ MORE: Cable theft causes power outages in Doornpoort, PTA north

“No decisions were taken,” mayoral spokesperson Samkelo Mgobozi told Centurion Rekord.

“That will only come after the meeting has compiled a full technical report on the status of cable theft in the three metros.”

He said this will determine the type of action to be taken, which must be in line with current legislation and intergovernmental relations.

More meetings are to be held, he said, adding that more information should be available once the formative work had been discussed and concluded.

Msimanga previously said he hoped the three metros could lobby national government to form a crime intelligence task team to tackle the problem.

“Cable theft needs a comprehensive and coordinated effort for us to provide reliable electricity to our people,” said Msimanga.

Although no formal decisions had been made yet, it was said that those purchasing such cables would be targeted by the law.

“We have to know where the material ends up and who is buying it,” he said.

“Buyers will not be spared.”

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