Cable thieves arrested following sting operation
It is alleged that the group did not only steal cable, they also dug out road signs, burned them and sold them at various scrap yards. The group of thieves worked in changing shifts to make sure that they get all the cable so as to sell it at the scrap yard.
VEREENIGING. – About seven culprits have been arrested after they managed to run a smooth cable theft operation on the R42 in Vereeniging for months.
Their theft in most cases left Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark dark. The operation ended when a sting operation by police officials from the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) closed in on the culprits on Tuesday.
It is alleged that the group did not only steal cable, they also dug out road signs, burned them and sold them at various scrap yards. The group of thieves worked in changing shifts to make sure that they get all the cable so as to sell it at the scrap yard.
ELM spokesperson Stanley Gaba said that theft causes great damage to the municipality. “It also affects residents as their appliances also get damaged, even the equipment of businesses getting electricity from that box gets damaged.”
Nomvula Thulo, the Mayoral Committee Member for Basic Services said the municipality is not insensitive to the damage caused by these spate of vandalism and will make every effort to prevent future damage.
Vereeniging SAPS Spokesperson Captain Fikile Funda said seven men were arrested and will appear at Vereeniging Magistrate Court soon. “Five suspects were arrested yesterday with hacksaw, pliers and side cutters at the same spot. Two more suspects were arrested and where charged with theft,” he said.
