Two Eskom contracted security guards and a minibus taxi driver were arrested in the early hours of June 18 after they were caught with a minibus taxi full of copper cables at an Eskom warehouse in Rosherville, Germiston.
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The suspects, two of whom are Eskom contracted security guards were on duty at the scene of crime when they were apprehended by Eskom in-house security officials.
This follows an investigation conducted when the minibus taxi was spotted driving towards the back of the utility’s warehouse in Rosherville.
The Eskom in-house security personnel found the minibus taxi parked outside the storeroom loaded with the Eskom cable and the driver seated inside.
The two are alleged to have spent the night cutting the cable into sizeable pieces that could fit into a minibus taxi. The suspects were taken into custody by the SAPS where they were charged with theft of essential infrastructure.
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The minibus taxi suspected to have been hired to transport the stolen cable has been impounded by the police. The three remain in custody after they were denied bail on their first appearance in court on Monday, June 20.
“It is regrettable that two of our contractor guards are charged with theft of material they are employed to protect and look after.
“We have over and above the criminal proceedings barred the suspects from entering all Eskom sites.
“We are most impressed with the level of alertness and quick reaction by our in-house security officials in foiling this planned theft.
It is our hope that this will send a strong message to criminals, especially those within, that we are wide alert to safeguard the assets of Eskom to ensure that our mandate to provide electricity is not interfered with,” said Kith Maitisa, Middle Manager for Safety, Health, Environment and Quality in Eskom, Gauteng.
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