Tebogo Msimanga |
Two suspects are expected to appear in the Orlando Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, following their arrest yesterday for possession of City Power’s copper cables stolen in Orlando East, Soweto.
A tip-off was received from a whistle-blower about stolen copper cables which were stored at a certain property in Nomzamo Park, Orlando East.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said a sting operation was conducted by the South African Police Services (SAPS) working together with the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service Department (GFIS).
“After searching the property copper cables that were already dug out were recovered. An official from City Power who was called to the crime scene confirmed that the cables belonged to the City’s power utility. The cables are estimated to be worth R80 000.”
Mangena added that cable theft and vandalism cost the City over R500-million in a financial year. “This is worrying because that is money that could be used to stabilize the network and improve our services to the people of the City of Johannesburg.”
It is estimated that 45% of the power outages in the City are caused by cable theft.
