The City’s Metro Police Department arrested two people for the theft of copper cables in Macassar last Saturday (5 February), after residents were left without electricity since Friday night just before midnight due to cable theft and the vandalism of Eskom infrastructure.
Approximately 20 m of feeder cable was stolen leading to a prolonged outage that left the community frustrated.
“Eskom operators worked through the night and the early hours of the morning to repair the damage and electricity supply was restored at approximately 03:30 on Sunday 6 February. Due to the collaborative efforts involving Eskom and various stakeholders from Macassar and those operating in the area, the stolen cable was retrieved and suspects were accosted.
Eskom has seen a surge in theft and vandalism of equipment in recent months in Macassar that have led to numerous unplanned power cuts,” Eskom said in a statement, adding that the power utility wishes to thank the Macassar Community Policing Forum (CPF), the police, the business community, ward councillor Peter Helfrich and local community members for their involvement that led to the arrests.
The City of Cape Town added that Metro Police officers conducted a crime prevention patrol in Macassar when they received information of suspected copper cable thieves who were hiding in the area.
“Officers followed up and found cable casings at a flat in Base Street, Macassar. Additional information indicated that the suspects moved the copper cables to Rubens Way. Metro Police officers, together with the City’s Law Enforcement Metal Theft Unit, went to the address and arrested a suspect who initially tried to flee the scene. Officers conducted a search and discovered a plastic bag containing six pieces of copper branded as South African Railway cables”.
Officers arrested the 32-year-old suspect, reportedly a former policeman, for possession of stolen property. The suspect will face an additional charge for damaging essential infrastructure.
In addition, officers arrested another suspect (aged 56) in the J Blocks where officers found 20 metres of Eskom cables at the premises. Officers detained both suspects at Macassar Police Station.
“The swift action and integrated approach by our enforcement officers led to the arrests of two suspects for copper cable theft and damage to infrastructure. These suspects clearly showed no regard for the consequences of their criminal intent.
“We cannot allow criminals to destroy critical infrastructure and that is why any information from the public is very important and will greatly assist our officers to bring those who destroy infrastructure and steal cables to book,” said the Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.
