Gate motor theft spikes, copper wire theft continues unabated

There has been a sudden rise in cases of the theft of motor gates. Cases have been reported to the Dundee and Glencoe Police.

Thieves strike during load-shedding hours with gate motors stolen from several homes and businesses in the area, police said.

There has also been an increase in the theft of copper wire cables at homes and in the CBD. Residents who contacted the Courier said they have witnessed men openly burning cabling in open fields on Gray Street and McKenzie Street in a bid to extract the copper that is then sold to scrap dealers.

Police are appealing to anybody with any information that will lead to the arrest of perpetrators to contact the nearest police station.

According to Cremers’ Engineering News, the government has imposed a six-month ban on the export of copper and copper-alloy scrap, as well as most ferrous scrap as part of the first phase of a three-phase intervention designed to combat the rampant theft of metals used in public infrastructure.

The economic damage of ongoing theft and vandalism has been estimated at R47-billion.

Men robbed, assaulted

Two men were attacked, stabbed, and robbed late last Monday afternoon while walking on the bridge over the Steenkoolspruit on the R33, Greytown road. One of the men was admitted to the hospital.

Anybody with information is asked to contact the Dundee Police Station  – no arrests have been made.