City tackles cable theft by busting criminals

By Odette Ismail
15 May 2007

The City of Cape Town says their special task team are hot on the trails of cable theft thieves as 30 arrests will already result in court cases to take place.

The City’s Mayoral Committee in February established the special task team to combat cable theft. According to reports, R22 million had been spent on replacing and repairing damage caused by cable theft last year alone.

Councillor Clive Justus, chairperson of the City’s Utilities Portfolio committee says ‘the losses suffered due to cable theft are much more severe than the financial implications.’

He says the team has made great progress and areas where operations have taken place have shown a remarkable decrease in cable theft.

According to a statement, the latest incident saw the Bridgetown community catch three young people between the ages of 11 and 14 in the act but police arrived too late to make any arrests.

Justus says’ Syndicates employ individuals who are desperate for work to steal copper cables and pipes at great personal risk.’ He says that the cables are then sold to scrap metal dealers.

‘ It is crucial that we involve the community and educate the public about the dangers of stealing copper cables and the negative impact the disruption of electricity has on their own safety and well being,’ says Justus.