The City Power Security Risk Management team arrested six people employed by a contractor on Tuesday for the possession of suspected stolen copper cables.

The suspects aged between 20 and 43 were apprehended at the Observatory Substation in Johannesburg, and appeared before the local Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The arrest followed a routine site inspection by the Operations Management to verify the removal of all burnt cables damaged during an underground tunnel fire incident that occurred at the beginning of the month.

This formed part of the power utility’s fight against cable theft and vandalism, which is plaguing areas in the inner city.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the power utility’s security team confiscated 129.5kg of copper cables.

“During the inspection, we discovered four individuals from a contracted company, cutting and stripping various sizes of copper cable - some burnt and others intact.

“A search of the bus used to transport those workers revealed two individuals with copper cables hidden in their bags and shoes, while additional cables were found under the bus,” said Mangena.

An additional 11.6kg of copper cable found under the bus was booked as without a suspect and also transported to City Power’s storage yard.

Mangena warned the ongoing cable theft problem would soon harm Johannesburg’s electricity infrastructure and disrupt essential services.

“As previously stated, the net is indeed closing in on those who are involved in the scourge of theft and vandalism, particularly those who are employed or contracted to City Power.

“In light of recent incidents of theft and vandalism that leave our customers without electricity supply for an extended period, we have intensified our commitment to rooting out the problem.

“We continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that offenders are held accountable,” said Mangena.

The Star

hope.mafu@inl.co.za