“These culprits break the electrical box open to steal copper wires, then they return on another day and cut off a piece of the earth wire,” he says.
As if that was not enough, they break the electrical main switch off so that the power can not be turned on again.
On April 30 he was called by the security company at 1.30am about a power failure but when he arrived at work the power was back on.
“The brick walls were damaged and tyres had been stolen, but the power box is the most regular target,” says Pretorius.
These incidents happen on such a regular basis that Pretorius suspects it is “fierce juveniles” who collect any scrap metal to sell.
Pretorius has started to question the efficiency of patrolling police vehicles in the area.
Despite the fact that the premises are monitored by video surveillance, the electrical box outside falls its range.
The 57-year-old businessman has been in business for 13 years, and his business has been the target of vandals more than 12 times since January.
Earlier this year his business was subject to a break-in where the thieves stole tyres.
He claims the damage to the electrical box costs more than the piece of earth wire cut off by the alleged scrap collectors.
Springs police spokesman, Capt Johannes Ramphora, says there are vehicles doing routine patrols, but that will most probably not deter the culprits’ break-in attempts or to break the power box open.
“The people should call us, the EMPD or their local CPFs who will report incidents to us to follow up,” he says.
