Pretoria - Three suspects have been arrested for the illegal sale of Eskom assets worth an estimated value of R7 000.
In a statement, Eskom said the three suspects were arrested in the West Rand, on Thursday, after they were found trying to sell aluminium overhead conductor and cables belonging to Eskom.
“This is after swift action by Eskom security, Eskom crime prevention partners and the Hawks, following a tip-off regarding employees of an Eskom contractor selling scrap cables at a local scrap metals dealer,” said the utility.
During the arrest, 400kg aluminium overhead conductor, 1 030kg Eskom steel structures and 32.9kg stripped copper cable was found at the scrap metal dealer.
“The total value of the stolen items is estimated at approximately R7 000. Various implements and tools like hammers shovels and pick axes, an 8-ton truck, and cellphones were also confiscated and will be used as exhibits in court,” said Eskom on Wednesday.
A case of possession of stolen Eskom property has been registered with the Krugersdorp branch of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The power utility is plagued by network equipment theft, generally referred to as conductor, cable or copper theft.
This includes the theft of overhead lines, underground cables, airdac and bundle conductors, earthing equipment, transformers, pylon support lattices and so forth.
“The value of material stolen remains a serious concern, as it is indicative of organised, syndicate-driven criminal activity in the conductor theft environment, which is also experienced by other state-owned enterprises,” said the utility.
Eskom said the fight against network equipment theft is being addressed by means of intelligence driven investigations by the Hawks, a division of SAPS, which encompasses aggressive policing of the scrap metal market for stolen goods. - SAnews.gov.za
