R100k reward for info on Joburg IT attack

The alleged criminals were not able to access the City’s partially completed live nerve centre, where the data infrastructure is housed, Randburg Sun reports.

The criminals made off with copper cables worth about R2 million.

READ MORE: Cable thieves caught red-handed in Morningside

The City is now offering a R100 000 reward to any resident who can provide information that will lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of those involved in this so-called attempt to sabotage the City.

This is the second time the City is faced with major copper cable theft. In early September, parts of the inner city were plunged into darkness for 11 days after copper cables were stolen. The cables were later found in a scrapyard, packed into three drums.

In November, about R80 million worth of City Power infrastructure material was seized. It had allegedly been stolen and materials such as transformers were kept at various sites across Joburg.

The latest incident, according to executive mayor of Johannesburg Herman Mashaba, was intended to sabotage the building and secure the City’s data and infrastructure environment.

“Fortunately, the criminals were not able to access our partially completed live nerve centre, where we are housing our data infrastructure,” Mashaba said.

Mashaba said investigators believe the break-in was an inside job since there were no signs of forced entry. The intruders apparently gained access through an emergency exit door on the ground floor of the building.

After gaining access, they were said to have broken down a door leading to a storeroom where contractors, who were doing maintenance work, kept their tools.

They then allegedly stole grinding machines and extension cords, which they used to cut the cables.

“The stolen cables were connected to two power generators which were recently purchased and were in a process of being tested. No damages or power outages were experienced.”