KIMBERLEY – Recently, Kimberley residents have once again experienced the effects of what is most likely due to cable theft after the arson of ten pillar boxes, leaving some areas without electricity for almost two days.

Some public comments on Facebook point the finger to sabotage, referring to the ongoing internal war at the Sol Plaatje Municipality, while others ask why scrap metal dealers buying copper cables are not targeted in the solution of the crime.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Kimberley said the unacceptable occurrence of crimes relating to essential infrastructure which poses a risk to, inter alia, public safety, electricity supply, water, sanitation, communications and transportation is concerning.

Tampering, damaging or destroying of essential infrastructure is a criminal offence, the SAPS remarks in a statement.

ALSO READ: Ten pillar boxes torched in one week, leaving Kimberley residents in the dark

Recently, some arrests were made in the widespread theft of ferrous and non-ferrous metal in the Northern Cape.

In an incident on Thursday 11 June in Boichoko, Postmasburg, bundles of stolen transformer cables with an estimated value of R86 484 were recovered and seized, with one of six suspects arrested.

This follows the response by detectives of the SAPS in Postmasburg, assisted by members of the Visible Policing Unit and security officers from a nearby mine, after information was received regarding six males who were allegedly burning cables in Boichoko.

Upon intercepting the suspects, the men reportedly fled into the veld. One suspect, a 30-year-old foreign national, was apprehended on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property.

The Department of Home Affairs will determine his immigration status, said Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, spokesperson of the Northern Cape Media Centre. A manhunt has been launched for the remaining five suspects who are still at large.

In another incident in Garies, a 54-year-old male was arrested on Wednesday 10 June for possession of suspected stolen copper cables, with an estimated street value of R16 200.

This follows information received regarding the alleged theft of copper cables. After police members applied for and were granted a search warrant, burnt copper wires were discovered at a residential premises in New Extension in Garies. The wires were confiscated, and the suspect arrested, said Captain Ivan Magerman, Namakwa Communications Officer.

DA demands action against illegal scrapyards

Following the recent arson of pillar boxes, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has lodged a complaint with the SAPS regarding the illegal trade in scrap metal in and around Floors, Kimberley, to compel law enforcement to act against at least two known illegal scrapyards operating in the area.

“Previous attempts to have the Sol Plaatje Municipality address the activities of these unregistered second-hand goods dealers yielded no results due to the municipality’s failure to enforce its own by-laws,” said Councillor George Joseph in a statement.

“The escalating crime affecting communities from Moghul Park to Floors, Homestead, Colville and Gemdene is closely linked to metal theft and the illegal scrap metal trade. This issue can no longer be ignored,” Joseph said, referring to a recent incident when approximately 30 kilometres of cable were dug up and stolen in the Kenilworth area.

In addition to the theft of kilometres of electrical cabling, brass water meters, cast-iron drain covers and streetlights continue to be targeted by organised criminal syndicates. These groups operate with sophisticated equipment and coordinated teams.

“Residents have effectively been left defenceless against these criminal networks. For too long, locked gates, aggressive guard dogs and a lack of resources have prevented proper inspections of the illegal scrapyards. This must come to an end,” Joseph commented.

Joseph said the SAPS must secure the necessary manpower and operational support to conduct thorough inspections of suspected illegal scrap dealers, ensuring that metal thieves, syndicate leaders and their accomplices are arrested and successfully prosecuted.

Economic impact runs into billions

In 2025, Jacques Broodryk, chief spokesperson for Community Safety at AfriForum, said the economic impact of cable theft is extensive. Eskom reports more than R2 billion in losses annually, while Transnet reported more than R1.6 billion in losses due to cable theft in 2022. More than 20 000 cases are recorded countrywide every year. Estimates place the overall economic impact – including indirect costs – between R7 billion and R10 billion annually.

Broodryk said the consequences of cable theft go far beyond just the financial aspect and power outages affect businesses, households, hospitals and schools, among others. Industries stagnate and train traffic becomes paralysed. The burning of cable casings causes air pollution.

In many cases, the syndicates carry out these crimes in collaboration with corrupt officials and scrapyards. The copper is sold locally – without the necessary documentation – or internationally. Some syndicates are also armed and provide security during thefts.

Report crime

Blow the whistle on acts of essential infrastructure theft, unscrupulous dealers, suspicious individuals, suspected stolen goods and cable theft to your nearest police station or anonymously contact SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS App, said Ehlers, confirming that all information received will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.