Mini-substation and cables estimated to value of R600 000 stolen in Midrand
A mini-substation and its cables that was meant to alleviate power outages have been stolen in Midrand, while other theft and vandilism cases have been recorded in Alexandra and Roodepoort.
City Power has recorded various incidents of theft and vandalism, including the theft of a new mini-substation and its cables worth about R600 000 in Klipfontein View.
The mini-substation was installed on July 4 in Klipfontein View near Rabie Ridge to help alleviate outages caused by overloading in the area and was waiting to be commissioned, when it was stolen on July 7.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said a case had been opened at the Rabie Ridge Police Station and several leads were being followed. No arrests had been made yet.
In separate incident, four suspects were arrested in Alexandra township for the theft of ABC cables. Mangena said, “The suspects were cornered by the community and police found City Power cables used on the streetlights. The suspects were booked and charged at Alexandra Police Station.”
Acting Alexandra Police Station spokesperson Constable Eliot Mabulane confirmed, “Four suspects have been arrested in connection with cable theft and
charged with infrastructure tampering.”
The power utility welcomed the arrest of two scrapyard owners in Roodepoort who were found to be in possession of stolen cables.
Mangena said the raid by police on horn scrap metal dealers in Roodepoort came after a tip-off about copper cables at the premises. City Power technical experts were called to the scene and positively identified the infrastructure which included copper cables and busbars – often stolen from vandalised mini substations. “The two suspects were taken in and charged by the police. We hope the law will take its course to ensure this serves as a warning to other scrapyard dealers who we are planning on visiting soon.”
He added that the recovered cables were worth just under R250 000.
The power utility appealed to anyone with information regarding criminal activities to contact the police on 10111, City Power Risk Control on 011 490 7900 or WhatsApp them on 083 579 4497.
Related article:
