There have been numerous copper cable theft incidents in the Ekuvukeni and Bergville areas recently.
The thefts involve the removal of residential copper cabling, ie between the electrical pole and the home. These incidents occur mostly in the rural areas. Pivot cable theft is another type of crime that is affecting farming communities, where the copper cables used to power the pivots are stolen. Several incidents of this nature were reported during the month of January.
Police appeal to rural communities to always be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to them. Most cables are stolen during nighttime or early morning, so any type of activity involving electricity or electric cabling during these times should be looked at with suspicion.
Police also appeal to community members to come forward with any information they might have in this regard. It is believed that special equipment is needed to conduct these thefts. The cables that are stolen are usually ‘live’, meaning that the thieves have knowledge of electric cabling. Anyone seen with this kind of equipment could be a potential suspect.
Stolen copper cabling is usually melted down to disguise its identity and is sometimes transported under normal scrap metal to where the metal is sold. Local scrap metal dealers are not permitted by law to buy or accept copper cabling originating from Telkom, Eskom and Transnet. Melted or stripped copper cable is a clear indication that the suspects have tried to hide the identity of the copper cable and local scrap dealers are requested to contact the police should anyone arrive at their premises with (stripped or melted) copper in their possession.
