Richards Bay cable theft suspect nabbed

A man was caught near Alkantstrand tampering with lamppost circuit boards on Sunday.

“A contracted security company received a complaint about somebody vandalising the City of uMhlathuze street lights, and possibly cable theft,” said City of uMhlathuze publication specialist Silindile Gwala, noting the suspect was seen at the intersection of John Ross highway leading to Alkantstrand.

ALSO READ: Cable theft an ongoing headache for Richards Bay motorists and municipality

Infinite Security Solutions (ISS) and West Point Security members went to the location immediately where, Gwala said, they noticed a man – who appeared to be mentally disturbed – tampering with the electrical infrastructure.

“The man was apprehended, SAPS from Richards Bay was called to the scene and the suspect handed over,” she said.

Mike Patterson, Business Against Crime executive manager, said, “It is a great saving of ratepayers’ money and a reduction in the high costs of infrastructure damage that the municipality is trying to pay from a tight budget. There has been ongoing damage to our city infrastructure and there has to be consequences.”

Patterson said it is believed the suspect has already caused thousands of rands worth of damage in recent weeks.

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