Cable theft leaves northern areas in dark again
On Tuesday morning, technicians were still assessing the extent of the damage in the underground tunnels.
Several parts of Soshanguve were without electricity on Tuesday “due to cable theft”.
The Tshwane metro said in a statement the thieves gained access the Soshanguve substation cables via underground tunnels on Monday night.
The resulting blackout affected areas from Carlton Centre to Selby Street.
“Cable theft has left Soshanguve residents without electricity. Soshanguve sections such as blocks CC, AA, G and F are without power. Three 240mm MV cables of about 12m each between Soshanguve substation and block CC substation have been stolen,” the City said in a statement.
On Tuesday morning technicians were still assessing the extent of the damage.
It was not yet clear when power would be restored.
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No one has been arrested.
“We apologise to all affected customers. We are doing our best to resolve this situation as soon as possible.”
Recently, mayor Solly Msimanga offered a R10 000 for any information that led to the successful conviction of cable thieves.
He said cable theft in the city had grown exponentially recently.
“There is a market for the stolen commodity. We cannot, therefore, target only those who steal cables but we have to know where the material ends up. Buyers have a responsibility to ensure that the material they are buying is not stolen property by insisting on the relevant documentation to see where the cable came from. Often, we find that the buyers are in cahoots with the thieves as they buy from them at prices below the market price. Buyers purchasing this stolen property will not be spared and will to be subject to the law,” Msimanga said.
“Cable theft threatens the provision of reliable and sustainable services to our people as evidenced in many of our communities across the city.”
Msimanga pleaded with the community to not only reveal the cable thieves but also the buyers.
He said the City had established an anti-cable theft unit to proactively and reactively intervene to stop and arrested cable thieves.
The unit also targeted second-hand dealers to curb the sale of stolen nonferrous metals.
Cable theft syndicates may be reported on 012-358-4903.
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