Pretoria - Nine copper thieves were arrested in one week as part of Eskom’s fight against electricity theft.
In a statement on Wednesday, the power utility said the fight against electricity theft, particularly cable or copper theft, continues to show progress.
“Eskom’s Security Investigations reports that nine copper thieves were arrested in a space of one week in separate incidents across the country this month,” said Eskom.
The first two arrests were made on 15 November near Paardevlei farm in the Western Cape and in Hendrina, Mpumalanga.
On 17 November, three more suspects were apprehended at Majuba power station in Mpumalanga when they illegally breached the power station parameter fence.
The equipment that was confiscated from the suspects includes a hacksaw, six hacksaw blades and three stanley knives. Investigators believe that the suspects were going to use these knives to cut and steal copper cable at the power station.
A day later, a further three suspects were caught in Wellington in the Western Cape while they were busy loading stolen copper cable into the back of their bakkie.
Their arrest came after an Eskom contractor found the stolen cable hidden in the veld and waited for the suspects to collect the stolen goods. The suspects were arrested on the scene and handed over to the Wellington South African Police Service (SAPS).
The ninth arrest was made on 20 November in Howick in KwaZulu-Natal where the suspect was found in possession of copper cable that he could not provide proof of ownership for. The suspect remains in the custody of the Howick SAPS.
In addition to the recovered cable, an array of tools was also confiscated in the arrests including hacksaws, bolt cutters, pliers, knives and a vehicle that was used to transport the stolen cable.
“Cable theft remains rife across the country, with the effects felt across all sectors of the economy. When a cable is cut by thieves, power supply is lost to the affected areas for extended periods, resulting in the disruption of electricity supply to train services, traffic lights, businesses and homes,” said the power utility.
Eskom noted that there is now a worrying trend where thieves are now targeting Eskom and municipal power stations.
“When production at a power station is disrupted, restoring electricity production can take days or even weeks, and the effect on the economy can run into millions. Combating this crime, which costs the economy between R5 billion and R7 billion a year, is everyone’s responsibility.”
Eskom urged residents to make a difference by reporting cable theft via anonymous tip-offs on SMS to Operation Khanyisa on 32211 (R1/SMS). – SAnews.gov.za
