Extracting copper a real risk
Copper cable thieves have resorted to making use of existing illegal dumping sites around the city to extract the copper from the cables, leaving the left over debris behind.
POLOKWANE – Copper cable thieves have resorted to making use of existing illegal dumping sites around the city to extract the copper from the cables, leaving the left over debris behind.
In Ladanna and the industrial areas around the city, this is done regularly. The cables are set alight in order to extract the copper.
According to the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting CEO, Peggy Drodskie, burning copper wires was not permitted by municipalities, and copper theft was also a criminal offence that could lead to jail time.
Drodskie said incidents of copper cable theft increased and decreased according to the price of copper. Currently, people were paid between R30 and R40 per kg for copper, she said.
Local doctor, Dr Emmanuel Ledwaba, warned that burning copper cables were also dangerous to people’s health.
The dangers included:
• Setting the wire alight in the conventional manner leads to low heat destruction of insulation, which releases toxins like heavy metal particles, dioxins, and other chemicals called furans. These toxins can lead to, among other things, heavy metal poisoning that can hurt the nervous system, cause lung infections and inflammations and even heart problems. Inhaling toxins like dioxins will increase the risk of cancer.
• Even after the insulation has been burned off the copper, it is still not safe. Copper wiring will release copper particles, which can cause kidney and lung damage.
Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala said reports or incidents of copper cable theft had decreased since the beginning of the year. He added that the police were ready, willing and able to act against such crimes.
