Two
suspected cable thieves were caught red-handed burning stolen cables by a team
of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality security officers yesterday, October 1.
The
successful arrest of the two men, aged 31 and 32 years, was a collaborative effort between the NMBM and the Sidwell Neighbourhood
Watch team that alerted the security officers of the crime taking place close to
the Sidwell Traffic Offices around noon.
Upon
their arrival at the scene, the four officers found two suspects burning cables
and 13 stolen batteries believed to be from a substation.
NMBM
Safety and Security Portfolio Head, Lawrence Troon, congratulated the
officers for the successful arrest and thanked the members of the Sidwell Neighbourhood
Watch for working well with the city.
“This
is the kind of collaboration that we wish to see in all areas of our city as we
continue to fight against cable theft, vandalism and theft from our facilities.
The suspects were detained at the Algoa
Park Police Station. We thank the residents who continue to alert and report
these criminal activities. All these efforts help us to apprehend these thieves
from our communities,” he said.
“We
call on other stakeholders to report such incidents. We must work together to
root out this cancer of vandalism and theft in our communities. When thieves
steal from our strategic state facilities, they affect service delivery
directly and it is time that we put an end to it,” Troon added.
Residents
are urged to report any case of cable theft or vandalism by calling the NMBM
Security Control Room on 041 506 5548, 041 506 55 76 or the Hotline on 041 506
5500.
