By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
SAPS raided Horn Scrap Metals Dealer in Roodepoort after they were tipped off copper cables that were on the premises had copper cables.
City Power technical experts were called to the scene where they positively identified the infrastructure that included copper cables and busbars often stolen from vandalised mini substations.
According to the spokesperson for City Power, Isaac Mangena, the two are part of the six suspects who were arrested yesterday in separate incidents.
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They were arrested by City Power security and the SAPS’s Essential Infrastructure Task Team, as we intensify the war on cable theft.
“City Power welcomes the arrest of two scrap yard owners in Roodepoort for being in possession of stolen cables.
“The cables recovered worth just under a quarter of a million rands.
“We hope the law will take its cause to ensure this serves as a warning to other scrapyard dealers whom we are planning on visiting soon,” Mangena warned.
In another incident, four suspects were arrested in Alexandra township for the theft of ABC cables.
The suspects were cornered by the community and police found City Power cables used for street lights.
The suspects were booked and charged at Alexandra SAPS.
“We also recorded at least five incidents of theft and vandalism overnight on Thursday.
“This includes the theft of a new mini substation worth about R600 000 in Midrand.
“The mini substation was installed on Monday this week in Klipfonteinview near Rabie Ridge to help alleviate outages caused by overloading in the area and was waiting to be commissioned, when it was stolen last night,” said Mangena.
Mangena said a case had been opened with Rabie Ridge police and that several leads were being followed in this regard.
“We appeal to anyone with information on this crime to contact the police in 10111, or City Power Risk Control on 011 490 7900 or WhatsApp us on 083 579 4497,” concluded Mangena.
