City Power has seen an increase in the number of people arrested for various crimes including cable theft during lockdown.
In the four weeks since the lockdown was announced, City Power security have arrested at least 25 people for various crimes during the period of the #Covid-19 lockdown.
The arrests were effected between March 26, when the president announced the lockdown in an effort to reduce the rapid spread of the coronavirus, to April 26.
The 25 were arrested for various crimes including cable theft, vandalism, and illegal connections.
These are the crimes that City Power battles with annually costing the City of Johannesburg millions in revenue.
Under normal circumstances City Power records about 10 arrests monthly, making this almost 150 per cent increase during the lockdown.
Majority of the arrested were found in possession or aluminum and copper cables and breaking into substations. The suspects have been handed over to the police across the City where charges will be preferred.
“Among the contributing factors to the increase in arrests include the high vigilance of security teams, decrease in mobility due to lockdown which has increased the detection of criminal activities before they happen, active citizenry where the community reported these crimes to us, and collaborative efforts with the JMPD, SAPS, and other law enforcement agencies, which we are thankful for.
“However, we expect the high probability of an increase in vandalism and cable theft as lockdown moves to Level 4 as announced by the president, and industries like recyclers and sharp metal dealers opening,” said City Power’s head of security Sgt Thela.
Thela added that City Power will ramp up patrols and vigilance by our security and other law enforcement agencies to ensure these crimes are curbed.
“We will be initiating and executing joint operations on scrap metal dealers across the City in conjunction with other security clusters to deal with theft and vandalism.
We urge residents to report cable theft and vandalism on 011 490 7900/7811,” he added.
