Cable theft flourishes in Boschkop as stage 6 load-shedding drags on
“The suspects were caught in possession of Transnet cables loaded into a suspect’s 1400 Nissan bakkie.”
Cable thefts have been mushrooming in the area during stage 6 load-shedding, according to Boschkop police.
This was after two suspects, aged 30 and 35, were arrested for cable theft on Thursday morning by police during normal patrols.
“The suspects were caught in possession of Transnet cables loaded into a suspect’s 1400 Nissan bakkie,” said Boschkop Sergeant Yeroboam Mbatsane.
Mbatsane said the suspects were detained at Boschkop police station and were facing charges of possession of stolen cables.
“They are expected to appear in court next week.”
This was the first arrest this month as stage 6 load-shedding persisted.
Acting Boschkop police station commander Captain Barret Brits commended officers for a job well done.
Last month, Transnet said it was concerned by the increased levels of violence during thefts.
According to spokesperson Mary Papayya, several Transnet contract security officials were killed by criminals stealing overhead copper cables in January.
“This is an untenable situation and calls for drastic action.”
Transnet Freight Rail also condemned the violence.
“These violent, murderous acts cannot go unchallenged,” said TFR security and forensics general manager Marius Bennett.
“The perpetrators must feel the full might of the law. Once arrested they should be handed the maximum possible sentence.”
He said there was a reduction of 33% in the length of cable stolen from 1 206 608 metres to 811 671 metres between the 2022/23 and 2021/22 financial years.
He said an estimated 5 509 185 tonnes were stolen in the 2022/23 financial year.
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