Copper thieves target M4 via nature reserve

THE city of Durban loses R60-million a year to copper theft. That’s according to eThekwini Municipality spokesman, Thabo Mofokeng, who was responding to questions on cable theft along the M4.

Cable thieves have been using Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve as a safe way to gain access to the copper cables that run along the M4. Mofokeng said the anti cable theft unit of the municipality was aware of the issue and that 85 people had been arrested from last year to date for cable theft.

“We also had a successful case where a suspect was arrested for digging up street lighting cables on the M4. He was found guilty and given a fine of R8 000,” he said.

According to a KZN Ezemvelo official who did not want to be named, thieves had cut through 32 sections of the fence bordering the M4 (going towards the city) to gain access to the reserve and then steal copper cabling.

“The problem has been longstanding and we’ve noticed holes in the fence from as far back as the Swapo (Broadway) Road on and off-ramps to as far down as Waterkant Road.

“The thieves would also use the reserve to burn the plastic casing around the copper cables but they have realised that we would follow the smoke trail to identify where they were hiding. Currently they strip the casing with knives and use the vegetation of the mangroves for cover,” he said.

The official added he was worried that the portions of fence which were being cut repeatedly could be disastrous for the local wildlife.

“We’ve raised our concerns with the municipality, especially as little duiker or mongooses could run across the M4,” he said.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) has a copper theft barometer and a group within its structures that monitors copper theft. In November last year, the value of stolen copper was R9.5-billion.