Cable thieves target field in Evander

Residents have raised their concerns over cable theft that is happening both during the day and night and in clear view in a field behind Toulouse Street and the Evander Hospital.

The residents who wish to remain anonymous due to the fear of victimisation said there is no urgency when reporting the matter to law enforcement and that no cable thieves have been arrested.

Ridge Times took a ride in the field with residents who pointed out where the cable theft begins.

A stretch for about 1km or more shows telltale signs of holes that have been dug by cable thieves every two or so meters apart, creating a row heading toward the main substation.

Freshly dug soil in one area was a sign that there had been a recent cable theft.

There were also cables next to the hole.

Inside a couple of holes, one can also see gloves and bottles of water that were left behind.

Although the cables are stagnant, the fact of the matter is that it is still theft and that once stagnant cables are gone, the cable thieves will resort to stealing live cables.

Residents also say that police response to the complaints is very slow and that it seems as if the local police could not be bothered by such crimes.

“When we do contact the police, we are told they don’t have vehicles to attend to the scene.

“When the police do eventually rock up to the scene, you can see the cable thieves on the other side of a property line and the police do not give chase. They do nothing,” said a disgruntled resident.

The residents said there can be anything from three to 15 cable thieves digging at any given time of the day.

The residents also said that when the police are no longer visible, the cable thieves just return and carry on digging where they had left off.

Other concerns raised by the residents are that thieves are now also stealing transformer oil and vandalising substations.

Residents said the theft is also bringing unwanted criminal activities, such as housebreakings, to the area.

“The thieves are doing what they want because they know they are getting away with it,” said an angry resident.

Responding to the Ridge Times, Donald Green, acting manager of communication for Govan Mbeki Municipality, said that GMM is concerned about the continuous vandalism of municipal property.

“It is clear from the modus operandi of this criminal syndicate that the agenda is to sabotage the municipality and hinder us from delivering basic services to residents,” said Green.

He went on to say that these incidents have elements of professionalism in them and one can see that they are well orchestrated by people who know what they are doing.

“The municipality finds it difficult to keep up with the high demand to repeatedly fix the damaged electrical infrastructure.

“The acts of theft and vandalism also have a negative impact on the economy of the municipality.

“Business cannot operate due to service interruptions and experience huge financial losses during these downtimes and the municipality loses revenue,” said Green.

The municipality has been circulating messages through its social media platforms regarding this issue encouraging the public to report these acts of criminality to 017 620 6327 or email: compliance@govanmbeki.gov.za or alternatively, report criminal activities directly to the police.

The Ridge Times is yet to receive a response to an email sent pertaining questions to the local police media liaison officer.