Recovered stolen copper cable / Image: TheSouthAfrican
Man sentenced to eight years behind bars for cable theft
The City of Joburg has commended the community of Turffontein for managing to apprehend the man, who had been caught stealing copper cable
Recovered stolen copper cable / Image: TheSouthAfrican
A Johannesburg man will be spending the next eight years of his life in prison after being convicted for cable theft in Turffontein.
Community members pounced on the criminal in April 2020 after catching him red-handed with electrical copper cables and trying to steal more. After being handcuffed, the man was officially charged with tampering with the infrastructure and cable theft.
The City of Joburg’s MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Mpho Moerane has welcomed the sentence.
“We welcome the stiff sentencing handed to this thief, which we believe fits the crime committed. The problem of vandalism and theft of copper cables is a serious one which disrupts normal life and economic activity in the City,” Moerane said.
The sentencing comes as City Power was forced to ramp up load reduction in some areas, largely due to cable theft in the city. The power utility loses at least R2 billion in non-technical loses, which includes cable theft.
City of Joburg losing millions due to vandalism, including cable theft
The City also suffered huge losses from illegal connections of electricity and water by residents in both formal and informal settlements as well businesses. It spends over R50 million each year in repairs and replacement of damaged or stolen infrastructure.
“This money could be better spent on service delivery initiatives in different parts of the City,” it said.
Moerane has further urged the residents to take ownership of the infrastructure and report any vandalism and theft of copper cables to City Power security or the SAPS.
“The residents of Turffontein took matters into their own hands and ensured this thief does not succeed in his evil ways. We commend them for protecting the infrastructure. We urge Joburg residents to report vandalism and theft of the infrastructure. More so because when this infrastructure is vandalised, the inconvenience is felt by the same community,”
City of Joburg’s MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Mpho Moerane
