2 Men Caught Cutting Metal Railings off Pietermaritzburg Bridge, SA Demands Action: “Shut Down Scrapyards”

• Two men have been arrested after they were caught trying to steal the railing off a bridge in Pietermaritzburg
• Private security Mi7 was alerted that the men were trying to cut the metal rails off the bridge on Sunday, 11 June
• South Africans have called for action, claiming that scrap yards contribute to the problem of metal theft

PIETERMARITZBURG - Two men were caught red-handed trying to steal metal railings off a bridge in Pietermaritzburg.

The incident was reported to the private security company, Mi7 National Group, on Sunday morning, 11 June, TimesLIVE reported.

Private security alerted to 2 men cutting rails of Pietermaritzburg bridge

The company's control room was informed that two men were seen cutting rails off a bridge close to the YMCA in Scottsville.

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MI7 immediately dispatched reaction officers who caught the pair in the act. The railing robbers were found with a hacksaw and other tools, which they were using to commit the crime.

The men were handed over to the police after being caught by the reaction officers, SowetanLIVE reported.

South Africans call on authorities to address metal robberies in SA

Here are some comments:

@nuraanhuman demanded:

"Shut down metal scrapyards."

Frans Wilbrink said:

"Hope they get a VERY long jail sentence!"

Trevor Chipilingu added:

"Incarcerate them & throw away the key!"

Ellan van den Heever criticised:

"There is no excuse for this sabotage."

Ras Magosi St. Magakwe commented:

"These scrap metal yards are a problem too"

Kaykay Kgasu said:

"I blame the lack of jobs... People a hungry and want something to eat n their families tonight."

Video of thieves stealing power cables in broad daylight in Ekurhuleni Angers Mzansi

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In another story, Briefly News reported that a video circulating on Twitter left South Africans fuming after community members stood by taking pictures while thieves stole power cables.

Reacting to the video shared by popular media personality Yusuf Abramjee, people said Ekurhuleni residents should not complain about power shortages because they did nothing when thieves stole cables.

Social media users shared mixed reactions to the viral clip. Many urged community members to come together and stop those vandalising communities.

Source: Briefly News