Roodepoort Cable Thieves Caught Red Handed, Tried to Bribe Security Guards

Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 5:37 PM by Claudia Gross

The South African Police Service has arrested six suspects who were caught stealing cables in Roodepoort under the guise of being City Power contractors
When security guards from City Power approached them to apprehend the suspects, they attempted to give the guards R5 000 as a bribe
Michael Sun, the environment infrastructure services MMC, said that City Power has six months to reduce cable theft in the city by 20%.

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JOHANNESBURG - The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested six suspects who were caught stealing cables in Roodepoort under the guise of being City Power contractors performing routine maintenance and inspections.

Isaac Mangena, a spokesperson for City Power, said the group dug a trench along Cypress Road that was 10m deep. Then, when security guards from City Power approached them to apprehend the suspects, they attempted to give the guards R5 000 as a bribe.

Details of cable theft case and City Power's response

According to EWN, Tshifularo Mashava, the acting CEO of City Power applauded the security team and law enforcement for efficiently apprehending the suspects. The CEO added that Johannesburg is experiencing daily power outages due to cable theft.

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"We are glad our security strategy, which includes increasing security patrols in hotspot areas, and partnering with local communities, especially neighbourhood watch and community policing forums, is bearing fruit," Mashava said.

Michael Sun, the environment infrastructure services MMC, said that City Power has six months to reduce cable theft in the city by 20%.

Reactions to Roodepoort cable theft

@Stacey_Barnes84 asked:

"@MbalulaFikile don't you think it's time to close down scrap dealers and ban the sale of scrap metal?"

@zanynkosi shared:

"Despite the magnitude of the problem, the government is just not concerned about it."

@EPristo remarked:

"They are doing it in pure daylight!"

@simaxis believes:

"Unbelievable, this is treason against the state. The arrogance in plain daylight and in full view. The sale of scrap must be banned completely in SA."

@chiba_mavisto asked:

"Who is the end buyer of these products?"

SA wants harsh sentences for Eskom employees who stole copper cables worth R540k

In other news about cable theft, Briefly News previously reported that two people have been apprehended for being responsible for the theft of Eskom's copper cables in Welkom, Free State.

They managed to get away with a large quantity of the cables estimated to be valued at R540 000. The arrested men are both associated with the state-owned power utility, one being an employee of Eskom and the other a contractor.