Cable theft is a high-voltage game of chance that comes with little reward compared to the inevitable outcome.
A man was electrocuted at a switching substation on Circle Street on Monday afternoon, 29 March while tampering with the cabling. The incident occurred shortly before 3pm, causing a brief power outage which was restored by 4.30pm that day.
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City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, confirmed the incident saying, “Preliminary investigation suggests that an unknown male vandalised the substation to gain access. He then fiddled with the equipment inside in an attempt to steal copper, resulting in an explosion.”
The man was not arrested at the scene as his injuries were too severe, but Florida Police are aware of the incident. “The patient was treated on scene by a Netcare 911 Emergency Care Practitioner, and once stabilised he was transported to a nearby hospital,” said Netcare 911 Media Liaison, Shawn Herbst.
Cable theft is a never-ending problem which has been a thorn in the side of the utility company striving to do their best for their customers. “We warn people against vandalism of our infrastructure. Not only is it a huge inconvenience to the customers when power goes off due to the theft, but it is very very dangerous,” said Mangena.
“We also appeal to the community to guard the electricity equipment against vandals and to report any suspicious activity around the infrastructure,” he concluded.
