BLOEMFONTEIN – An organised copper syndicate has targeted Centlec’s MSS2 substation in Bloemfontein, leaving numerous areas in darkness in the latest series of power outages in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM). No arrests have been made in connection with the substation attack on Tuesday June 23.
Centlec, the power distributor for the MMM, confirmed forced entry into the substation by an unknown syndicate, who made off with quantities of copper cable, leaving a trail of damage to the infrastructure. In a statement, the power distributor said technical officials discovered evidence during a nighttime inspection, including severed conductor pieces, a used candle, burnt busbars and missing earthing materials. Power restoration is under way.
In separate incidents earlier this week, law enforcement agencies – including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and private security companies – arrested three suspects for copper cable theft and vandalism on Friday and Sunday. On Friday, two suspects were caught red-handed at approximately 23:30, stealing copper electrical cables at the Rodenbeck Butchery in Phase 9.
Investigations revealed that one of the suspects had a pending case of vandalism and cable theft at a Centlec infrastructure site. The estimated value of recovered cables is R37 619.16. A third suspect was arrested by private security at the Uitsig graveyard while attempting to steal cable and streetlight components. The suspect was found in possession of copper streetlight cable with an estimated value of R10 000.
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