A SUSPECT was caught attempting to steal electricity cables on Main Reef, Cresswold Park on Sunday, November 13.
Officials patrolling the area detected suspicious behaviour and swiftly apprehended the suspect. The suspect has been linked to another cable theft incident in Roodepoort.
Reports from authorities suggest a syndicate of illegal miners (zama zamas) operating in the old Durban Deep mine resorted to stealing cables because their operations to retrieve gold were unsuccessful. Authorities have received intelligence with specific details about the syndicate involved and are closing in on the leads.
Approximately 45 per cent of power outages in City Power’s areas of operation are caused by cable theft, creating a considerable challenge to service delivery efforts. City Power has installed pole-to-ground sleeves and aerial-bundled conductors across Johannesburg to deter thieves from cutting cables and bare overhead conductors. Aerial-bundled conductors are made of aluminium and are of no value to cable thieves.
City Power has been conducting educational awareness campaigns in communities most affected by cable theft and engaging with private security firms and the police to help the public understand the impact of theft and vandalism of electrical infrastructure. It has its own response vehicles to patrol high-risk areas. However, because of the large areas, it is difficult to prevent every incident without assistance from affected communities.
Residents are requested to be on the lookout for suspicious construction vehicles working on electrical networks, whether marked or unmarked.
Community members should also be on the lookout for:
- Criminals posing as City Power contractors.
- Most incidences happen late at night or very early in the morning so if community members see ‘contractors’ removing cables at these abnormal times, they should regard this as suspicious behaviour and report it.
- People removing overhead cables without a job card from City Power.
- Suspicious vehicles with occupants pretending to conduct maintenance.
- Vehicle with no signage.
Citizens are encouraged not to approach suspects because they could be armed and dangerous. Instead community members are urged to monitor suspicious individuals and vehicles in the neighbourhood, such as vehicle registration, persons and clothing, to assist authorities in follow-up action. All suspicious activity must be reported to City Power’s call centre or control room, which operates 24 hours a day, on the following numbers: 011 490 7911/7900/7553, or on the toll-free number 0800 002 587.
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