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Cable thieves arrested in Bot River

Tuesday, 13 September 2016: Eskom’s efforts to stamp out on the apparent increase in incidents of cable theft in the Overberg District in the Western Cape recently paid off dividends when one suspect was apprehended in Bot River whilst a bakkie and the stolen cable was confiscated.

In mid-August, thieves stole strands of Eskom overhead copper conductor valued at approximately R72 000 in Bot River. On investigation, it was immediately discovered that the stolen copper cable had been hidden in the long grass next to a main road.  An Eskom-led security task team chased a bakkie driven by two suspects who had arrived to collect the cable. One suspect was arrested and the other fled on foot. The police believe that his arrest is imminent.

Incidents of cable or copper theft remain a serious concern. This is indicative of organised, syndicate-driven criminal activity in the conductor theft environment, which is also experienced by other state-owned enterprises.

The fight against network equipment theft is being addressed by means of intelligence driven investigations by the Hawks, a division of SAPS, which encompasses aggressive policing of the scrap metal market for stolen goods.

The courts are also taking this crime seriously and significant sentences are being handed out to perpetrators. A joint industry working group, formed by Eskom, Transnet, Telkom, SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority, Business Against Crime and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), continues to contribute positively in the fight against this crime.

Original Content by ESKOM