Cable thieves strip electricity boxes of cables in Mams
These electricity boxes are not locked and give criminals easy access to cut and steal the electricity cables.
Mamelodi residents are feeling the brunt of no power due to criminals stripping the area of electricity cables.
The crime plague is affecting the west of Mamelodi as the criminals target unlocked electricity boxes.
Two boxes that supply local houses in Mbundulu Street in Mamelodi West, Section B3, were stripped of electricity cables during load-shedding.
The incidents occurred in the early hours of the morning, and about 20 households woke up without electricity.
Ward 67 councillor Sizwe Tsiane said this is not the first time residents have complained about the electricity boxes being stripped of cables at night, especially during load-shedding.
He said prevention is better than cure and that residents shouldn’t wait to become the next victim.
Tsiane encouraged residents to revive the neighbourhood watch groups to patrol the streets to keep them safe.
He said the residents must report the matter to the Tshwane metro, and if they don’t get help, send the reference numbers to him so he can better monitor progress.
Zanele Mahlangu of Mamelodi West said criminals cut the electricity cables to sell to scrap yards.
“They steal the cables around midnight when everyone is asleep because no one goes out to guard the electricity boxes.
These boxes are not locked, and that creates easy access for the criminals to vandalise and cut off electricity cables,” said Mahlangu.
She said she believed a syndicate was active in the area because the criminals knew what they were doing and which parts of the box and cable to take.
Residents of Mbombhi Street in the same area who were also victims of cable theft have resorted to welding the electricity boxes shut to prevent cable thieves from helping themselves to the cables.
Other areas where cables were stolen are sections B2 and A3 in Mamelodi West.
The Mamelodi West CPF forum has since advised the community to unite and fight crime tog by forming their own street communities.
“Neighbourhood groups or street communities should also start working with police to fight crime in the different areas,” said the CPF.
“The community needs to bring back street communities because they can help identify crime hotspots.”
The CPF further said the street community must also take turns guarding their own electricity boxes to prevent more cable thefts during late-night load-shedding.
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