By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
City Power CEO Ms Tshifularo Mashava has commended the work by the security and law enforcement agencies against cable thieves following the foiling of a cable theft incident earlier today.
Three thugs attempted to break the concrete barrier on M1 double-decker to access the integral cable feeding power from Fordsburg through the underground tunnels to Braamfontein.
According to City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, the suspects were proactively detected by City Power security offices and cornered to effect an arrests.
“However the heavily armed mob of suspects retaliated by discharging live ammunition, forcing our security to retreat. It was during this time that the suspects managed to escape, leaving behind their tools including a crowbar and pik-axe at the scene of crime,” he said.
No injuries were sustained by our security.
Mashava committed to increase patrols in the area with the help of the police and JMPD.
“This encounter goes to show how brazen and heavily armed the cable theft syndicate is.
“The area is where we lost two of our security officers who were ambushed while patrolling the double-decker highway a year ago.
“This is the daily experience for our security personnel. We are in a war,” said Mashava.
“We are pumping more resources into the fight against cable theft and vandalism and believe the war will be won, especially with the active involvement of the communities we serve,” she added.
Mangena said in the current financial year the entity has been allocated R300 million for the fight against cable theft and infrastructure vandalism.
“The entity recorded about 33 incidents of vandalism and cable theft between Monday and Thursday this week, which includes several minisubstations that were vandalized in different areas.
“The entity’s adopted infrastructure security strategy in centred around the communities, and includes crime information gathering and special security operations, the use of technology, armed response including local security contracting, and recruitment of more security officers personnel.
“We still urge residents to be vigilant and appeal to them to continue being the custodians of the electricity infrastructure and report any suspicious activities around it,” said Mangena.
