Cable theft a problem in Daspoort
PRASA is implementing a strategy to insource Security instead of contracted security companies as it was previously the case.
Two suspected thieves found with stolen cables in Daspoort in the west of Pretoria on Tuesday told the CPF members who nabbed them that they had “discovered” the cables laying around in a field.
“The suspects were busy burning the cables to melt them at an open field right outside a scrap metal dealer,” said Hercules sector 2 CPF member George Behrens.
CPF members were on a regular patrol when they spotted smoke from the suspects’ fire and investigated.
Behrens said the cables were more likely stolen from railways in the area.
According to him, most cable thefts in the vicinity were at Mountain View and the Daspoort railway.
The copper cable the men was allegedly found in possession with weighed around 60kg.
“We investigated the matter and discovered that the cables belonged to Prasa,” he said.
A Prasa manager has since opened a case at the Hercules police station and police took custody of the suspects.
“Some of the suspects are heavily armed and dangerous,” he said.
“Two weeks ago, SAPS officers had to chase suspects in the early hours of the morning after some cables were stolen. Apparently, shots were also exchanged during the chase.”
According to him, no arrests were made during this incident.
Police would not confirm the incident.
Metrorail is currently experiencing an increase in the number of reported cases of infrastructure vandalism and theft, said spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng.
Anything from cables from overhead electrical lines, electrical substations and depot buildings were targeted by thieves.
“There has been a rise in theft on critical infrastructure components, along with a growth in the illicit trading of copper and steel on the black market means. This means that we must refocus our efforts towards providing more security manpower using the same amount of money usually meant for passenger rail improvement upgrades – without any additional revenue or funding,” said Mofokeng.
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Mofokeng said that this vandalism and theft unfortunately directly affected the majority of commuters who depend on Metrorail services to access economic opportunities across Gauteng.
The Gauteng Metrorail network has 218 stations and halts and 1 380km of rail track making it difficult for Prasa to effectively secure both the stations and the rail network,” she said.
Prasa has recently announced a new security strategy to appoint its own security guards instead of using contracted security companies as it did previously.
Mofokeng said the recruitment of this new security workforce was in progress and was expected to be finalised by the end of December this year.
“This process will be followed by the rehabilitation of the stolen and vandalised rail infrastructure to re-instate full services within all the priority corridors,” said Mofokeng
She said that national lockdown level 5 saw an increase in the theft and vandalisation of Metrorail infrastructure in the province.
“This continues to happen,” she said.
“Unfortunately, most thefts are not reported even when there are witnesses.”
Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela urged anyone with information about cable thefts to please contact them.
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