Residents apprehend cable thief
MALANSHOF – Residents contribute an amount of R2500 to thank two residents who apprehended a cable thief suspect.
Power outages in Malanshof and Fontainebleau have dramatically decreased since a suspected cable thief was arrested last month.
Two residents who helped arrest a man who was attempting to steal a cable, were given an amount of R2 500 this week which residents contributed to.
Kyron Amic and John Mahlangu witnessed a man who attempted to steal an exposed electricity cable in one of many dug-up trenches in the suburbs during a recent water upgrade project.
In recent months residents were plagued by on-going water pipe bursts, disruptions in electricity services due to accidental cable cuts and cable theft.
The suspect was arrested after a massive outage in the suburbs. This after residents heard a huge bang and went to investigate on the corner of Gertrude Street and Annie Road.
Mahlangu was doing gardening close by when he saw a man in the hole and realised that it was odd that the man would be by himself.
“He saw the man swing his pick and hit the power cable creating an enormously loud explosion and the power went out. Soon after the worker had climbed out of the hole, another local resident, Amic, who lives close by, went out to investigate and questioned the man,” said Samantha Williams
The man then claimed that he was working for a water contractor in the area and without any explanation, he briskly walked down Annie Road stating that he would call his boss.
Mahlangu and Amic chased the suspect and apprehended him with the help of the Community Support Services (CSS) security.
“With all the work going on in the area, it is hard to tell which of the workers are genuinely engaged in a water or fibre project to spot those who are engaging in criminal activity,” continued Williams.
During this past month, since the incident, the community came together to raise a reward for the two men who apprehended the suspect.
“It must be noted that the residents in this particular area have had a fairly good month in which there have been no power interruptions due to cable theft. However, gaping holes remain and may be too tempting for others to resist in making some extra money by stealing another cable,” she concluded.
Details: Ward 104 Councillor Mike Wood, 082 853 2174.
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