cable thieves City Power

Cable thieves opened fire on Power City security guards. PHOTO: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/

Brazen cables thieves open fire on security guards

Cable thieves opened fire on Power City security guards.

cable thieves City Power

Cable thieves opened fire on Power City security guards. PHOTO: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/

Three thieves who were caught red-handed stealing cables feeding power from Fordsburg to Braamfontein in Johannesburg escaped after being involved in a shootout with City Power security guards.

CABLE THIEVES SHOT AT SECURITY GUARDS

The suspects were detected while trying to break the concrete barrier on M1 double-decker to access the integral cable feeding power from Fordsburg through the underground tunnels to Braamfontein.

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City Power Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tshifularo Mashava has commended the work by security and law enforcement agencies against cable thieves.

He said the suspects were detected by City Power security guards who tried to arrest them.

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Cable thieves left their tools behind after a shootout with City Power security guards. Image: City Power

CABLE THIEVES ESCAPE FROM CITY POWER SECURITY GUARDS

“However, the heavily armed mob of suspects retaliated by discharging live ammunition, forcing our security to retreat,” Mashava said.

“It was during this time that the suspects managed to escape, leaving behind their tools, including a crowbar and axe, at the crime scene.”

Tshifularo Mashava

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Mashava said City Power security guards were not injured in the shoot-out with the thieves.

“The area is where we lost two security officers who were ambushed while patrolling the double-decker highway a year ago. “This is the daily experience for our security personnel,” Mashava said.

“We are in a war.”

Tshifularo Mashava

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Mashava said they will increase patrols in the area with the help of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department. This encounter shows how brazen and heavily armed the cable theft syndicate is,” Mashava said.

‘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.”

Tshifularo Mashava

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“In this 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 (16 January 2023) and Thursday (19 January) this week, which includes several minisub stations that were vandalised in different areas.”

Tshifularo Mashava

City Power is urging residents to be vigilant and appeal to them to continue being the custodian of the electricity infrastructure and report any suspicious activities around it.

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