Cable thieves beware: Bill being fast-tracked

Cable thieves, commonly referred to as izinyoka, are warned by the Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities of Southern Africa (Ameu) that their days are numbered.

At their conference at the Sandton Convention Centre last week, outgoing Ameu president and the managing director of City Power, Sicelo Xulu, warned cable theft will soon be classified as an act of economic sabotage, punishable by the maximum sentence. He announced to delegates that changes to the Criminal Matters Amendment Bill were being fast-tracked for this reason.

The conference was hosted by the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and attracted hundreds of leaders and experts in the electricity supply sector.

During his address Xulu acknowledged the industry had suffered immensely at the hands of izinyoka but said the industry had lobbied the government to classify the offence as an act of economic sabotage.

“This is because it has had a debilitating impact on the economy,” he was quoted saying.

“Cable theft has hemorrhaged the economy of billions of Rands; unplanned power outages resulting from this wanton criminal activity have led to widespread job losses.”

Xulu said the Ameu is encouraged by the gravity and urgency with which the government has handled the situation.

“We hope the amendments to the bill would be fast-tracked to bring the perpetrators of this crime and the syndicates behind them to book.”

Imposing the maximum sentence would serve as a deterrent to the selfish criminals, he said.

“We welcome the proposed changes which seek to impose more stringent sentences for those convicted of cable theft.”

Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau praised City Power at the conference for being at the forefront of identifying opportunities to alleviate the electricity situation, such as load limiting. Delegates were encouraged to keep investigating the feasibility of alternative energy sources.

Locally residents have major problems in dealing with and eradicating izinyoka, especially in Princess, Grobler Park, Westgate Park and Lindhaven. Although for the greater part businesses along Albertina Sisulu Road have been sorted out with a new, more secure substation, new complaints of cable theft are streaming in from residents of Pannevis Street, among others. A public meeting on the street is scheduled for tomorrow night, Thursday 15 October, at 6pm. For more information contact Ward 85 councillor Carl Mann on 072 616 2025 or via email at carl@ward85jhb.co.za . He serves Princess Plot 61, Horison Park, Horison, Helderkruin, Discovery, Florida Park, Floracliffe, Kloofendal, Carenvale, Ontdekkerspark, Honey Hills and Constantia Kloof.

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