VANDERBIJLPARK. – At least one cable thief lost his life after a wall fell on him on Monday morning on the Mantevrede plots.

The deceased and his accomplice(s) were digging up power cables when the wall collapsed.

The gruesome discovery was made this morning around 06:00 by the owner of an adjacent smallholding, when his alarm which was connected to the side fence went off.

According to one of the onlookers, there may still be people pinned under the rubble, as cries for help could still be heard early this morning, but later fell dead silent.

Paramedics, police and the fire brigade are currently on the scene.