POLICE have urged the community to expose those involved in cable theft.
A recent incident of cable theft left Oslo Beach residents and businesses in the dark for two days.
Cable theft costs the country billions of rands each year, affecting essential services and, in some cases, bringing the country to a halt.
Last Saturday two alert community members prevented thieves getting away with electric cable in Shelly Beach.
The men, who are employed as security guards at a shopping complex, were walking down Izotsha Road at about 8am, when they saw two suspicious men in a trench where cables were being laid.
“When the security guards shouted at the suspected thieves, they fled into the bush,” said police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid.
“Police were called and Warrant Officer Ettienne Grantham searched the surrounding bush. He discovered blades, a hacksaw as well as burnt cables in the area. No case was opened as the culprits did not succeed in getting away with the cable. Investigations are continuing,” she said.
Meanwhile, it cost about R30 000 to replace the cable stolen in Oslo Beach near the Boboyi river bridge.
An Oslo Beach resident said if the scrap metal dealers did not buy the copper this would not happen as that there would then be no market for the metal.
“We need to look at attacking the supply chain at source and focus in terms of where the thieves dispose of the metal. Government must play an important role in fighting this menace,” said the resident.
Report cable theft to either the Hibiscus Coast Municipality at 039 6825555 or the police at 10111.
