Cable theft still an issue in Moot
“Cable theft is an issue that must be addressed urgently.”
Cable theft has been an ongoing issue in the Moot for years.
Ward 1 councillor Elma Nel said cable thefts have become a very serious problem.
“Cable theft is an issue that must be addressed urgently,” she said.
Nel added that cable theft was particularly common in Capital Park.
Early Friday morning, an attempted cable theft took place on the corner of De Beer Street and 17th Avenue in Wonderboom South.
Nel said it was reported that security officials who were assigned by the Combined Private Investigation force to guard cables, received information about three suspected cable thieves in the area.
They followed up on the information immediately and at about 04:00 they spotted three suspicious-looking men cutting cables.
Police spokesperson Constable Tumisang Moloto said when the suspects realised they had been followed they fled on foot with the cables and a chase ensued.
“Two of the suspects managed to escape while the other one could not run anymore. It is further alleged the suspect took out a knife and charged at the security guards after they instructed him to put his knife down.”
The suspect was shot.
“Police responded to a complaint following a shooting incident. On arrival at the scene they found a man lying in a pool of his own blood. He had sustained a bullet wound to his upper body.
“The man is believed to be in his 30s and was certified dead on the scene by the paramedics.”
The other two suspects are still at large and a case of murder has been opened at the Woonderboompoort police station.
Another attempted cable theft took place earlier this month in Capital Park.
The Community Policing Forum‘s (CPF) Marius van Rooyen said they followed a man who they suspected was guilty of cable theft. The suspect was driving a Honda.
“We followed the suspect by car to Pretoria Central. A metro police vehicle rushed past us. When we followed the police we came across an accident scene involving the suspected cable thief. A drunk driver had crashed into the suspect.”
The suspect was taken to the hospital. He survived the accident.
In July, Waverley residents were left without power following another cable theft at a mini-substation.
Ward 52 councillor Frans Smith said the power went out around 01:00 when cables were stolen on the corners of Trumper Street and Lawson Avenue.
“This caused electricity problems. Two poles caught fire and they are being repaired,” he said.
To report any cable theft residents can contact Laura Taut on the Capital Park CPF emergency number, 072 289 9925.
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