Call to fight cable theft

The growing number of cable theft complaints in Marburg and surrounding areas has escalated to a point that has almost every business and homeowner fed-up.

Marburg Community Policing Forum’s (MCPF) chairperson Fathima Moosa met with Siboniso Trevor Nkabinde from Eskom’s Cable Theft Department on Monday last week, to address the problem.

According to Moosa, Eskom takes cable theft seriously, as it has become a constant and costly problem. “While security companies are playing an important role, Trevor highlighted that the community must also assist by laying charges at Saps. In many cases, security companies reach a dead end when complainants refuse to open cases. If residents are unable to lay the charge themselves, a CPF member can assist. What is most important is obtaining the OB or IR number, after which Trevor assured us he will support and back up the case,” said Fathima.

She added that Eskom is requesting the community’s cooperation in combating the rise in cable theft. She called on the community to report suspicious activity to their security and the police.

“Repeated incidents have left many areas in darkness for days at a time. Supplies are limited, and demand currently exceeds what Eskom can provide. The best way we can assist is by reporting incidents consistently and ensuring that cases are properly logged. “

In a recent incident, Lazer 911 Tactical Response Teams received a call for assistance from the Illovo Sugar Mill of cable theft in progress last Saturday morning.

Officers were directed towards the suspects. On noticing Lazer 91, the suspects fled into the nearby fields. The officers gave chase, but they escaped.

The copper cables were recovered and handed over to the manager of the mill who then proceeded to Saps to open a case.

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