Seven suspected copper-cable thieves were arrested this week after attempting to steal below-ground cables from an open field in Giel Basson Drive (M12), near Burgundy Estate. The group was arrested on Monday (7 September) this week. The field – an Eskom reserve area – is located just behind the oil-storage tanks in the grounds of the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF), a hot spot for cable theft.

An assortment of tools used to dig the cables up were confiscated.

The Monte Vista and Plattekloof Glen, Edgemead and Richwood Neighbourhood Watch, the Parow police, District Watch, FidelityADT, Securitas, Precinct Response and the City of Cape Town Metro Police all played their part in the arrest.

Police confirm arrest

Col Deirdré Engelbrecht, Parow Police Station commander, said armed-response officers had spotted the seven male suspects digging for cables behind the tanks. They requested back-up and apprehended all the suspects, who were handed over to the police.

Engelbrecht said an axe and two spades as well as a piece of copper cable and torch were handed in as evidence at Parow Police Station.

Suspects transported to field

Deon Oosthuizen, vice-chair of the Monte Vista and Plattekloof Glen Neighbourhood Watch, said one of the group’s patrollers spotted the group being dropped off by a white bakkie in the area. District Watch and FidelityADT armed-response officers responded after back-up were called.

“I got the Metro police and the police involved,” Oosthuizen said. He said individuals were carrying hacksaws and spades.

Oosthuizen had visited the hot spot before, also in the wake of a cable-theft incident. “There is actually a whole operation. The thieves have a makeshift camping area, with trenches where they burn and strip the wire.”

ALSO READ: Wilde jaagtog deur strate van Kaapse woonbuurt lei tot inhegtenisnemings