City Power welcomes the arrest of cable theft
According to information received, the two contractor employees cut and stole copper cable from the trench, thus extended the length of the cable stolen earlier by criminals.
City Power has welcomed the arrest of contractors who allegedly stole copper cables that left residents of Naturena and the surrounding areas without electricity for a prolonged period of time this past week.
ALSO READ: City Power raises concern of increased vandalism on its infrastructure
Two City Power contractors who were part of the contractors who were tasked with repairs of the earlier cable theft along the Eikenhof line supplying electricity to Naturena were caught in possession of a 10-metre long cable.
According to information received, the two contract employees cut and stole copper cable from the trench thus extending the length of the cable stolen earlier by criminals.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that more cable had already been stolen and sold when the arrests were made.
City Power Security Manager responsible for the area led a team of City Power security personnel and members of the SAPS essential infrastructure task team to the scene.
During preliminary investigation suspicious activities were detected which resulted to the arrest of the two contract employees.
ALSO READ: City on track with Eldos power station
The suspects are booked at Mondeor Police Station and face charges related to tampering and theft of essential infrastructure.
City Power CEO, Tshifularo Mashava has commended the work of City Power security personnel and the swift response by law enforcement officials for making the arrests.
“While we are pleased with the arrest and the strong message it sends, we find it deeply concerning that some of the contractors are seemingly part of a syndicate involved in cable-theft.
“We have never ruled out the involvement of internal people in some of the theft, and that is why we have strengthened internal controls to ensure that we bring to book all those implicated,” Mashava added.
ALSO READ: Gauteng metro City collects R 8.1-million in debt from businesses
These arrests are significant for City Power because they show that additional security measures that have been put in place are beginning to bear fruits.
Follow Us Here:Â
Catch the latest news by visiting our other platforms:
Facebook
Soweto Urban News
Twitter
Youtube
