Cable theft on a grand scale

In the article, A resident’s cable theft resolved, week ending 19 July, it was reported that cable along five roads in the estate had been stolen.

Sharon Schoutens, vice-chairperson of Chartwell North Estates, said it was very disturbing that the theft happened right under the noses of the security company employed by the estate. “The thieves even stripped cables in plain site in the middle of the roads and left the debris behind. Then the transport of hundreds of metres of cable per night went undetected,” Schoutens said.

“Although cables had been stolen along the borders of Chartwell North Estates, they had never been stolen within the area, and the magnitude of this incident of cable theft had never occurred previously. This was a shock to the technicians from Telkom who said they had never seen such extensive theft in one area, and on that basis initially stated that due to the lack of security they would not replace the cables.”

Telkom was persuaded to reconsider after a group of residents in the estate, who subscribed to a different security company, called an urgent meeting with the utility. The residents promised additional security and the installation of new alarm units.

Schoutens said, “We, as a community, were without telephones and ADSL from 3 July to 19 July. This not only caused massive inconvenience, but also losses to the numerous small businesses in the area. The ramifications of this event were serious and could have been long-term had Telkom not agreed to replace the cables.”

She added that Telkom contractors and technicians did a fantastic job and were able to conclude the replacement of cables within a week. “The replacement lines are thinner lines that do not contain the grade of copper sought after by thieves,” she said.