Cable thieves run amok in Marburg
Residents and businesses call upon Eskom and Saps to take urgent action.
Marburg has recently been hit by a surge of cable theft incidents, with thieves seemingly desperate and willing go through great lengths to dig out cables.
An Mi7 security officer arrested a man with a large amount of copper wire in his possession in Watterson Street last Saturday.
The man was taken to Port Shepstone Saps and later released.
Saps Ugu Communications District office said that the man was brought to the police station, however he gave a reasonable explanation which was confirmed and accepted by all parties concerned.
“Therefore the man was free to go. The Saps is appreciative that members of the community and security companies are ever alert to the possession and sale of copper,” said Saps.
A Marburg resident said that many similar cases have taken place, daily. “Security companies and the CPF work tirelessly to keep criminals off the streets, but their efforts are not being adequately supported.”
Fathima Moosa, the chairperson of the Marburg Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association, said it was heartbreaking to constantly hear the frustrations of residents over power outages caused by this ongoing crime.
“In one week, Marburg experienced three power outages, each taking an unreasonably long time to repair. Residents are left in complete darkness at night, exposing them to crimes as alarms and security systems fail without electricity. The majority of Marburg residents already live below the average salary threshold, with many pensioners struggling to make ends meet,” she said.
Despite the severity of the situation, solutions are either not being found or not being properly enforced, and residents and businesses call upon Eskom and Saps to take urgent action.
“Provide better security measures around vulnerable infrastructure. Enforce harsher punishments for those caught committing cable theft. Conduct frequent inspections of scrapyards and monitor all activities surrounding them, as stolen cable often ends up there. The people of Marburg deserve to live in a safe and stable community, free from the constant disruption and hardship caused by this crime.”
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