The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, says Letsielo James Sethuntsa, Piet November, Siyabulela Khefu, John Nkone, Keitsile Tsimatsima, Moses Moshe, Matumo Letsema and Thabang Mantsi are out on R500 bail each. The suspects have been arrested after a member of the community alerted the municipality’s Public Safety Department of cable theft by these municipal employees.

The municipality’s spokesperson, Kgojane Matutle, says two police officials immediately called for backup from the Welkom Flying Squad and responded to the tip-off about the employees stripping copper cable at a house in Doorn, Welkom. He says on arrival they found six employees with a municipal trailer that carried copper cable.  

“Matjhabeng's Executive Management has strongly condemned the incident and is adamant that over and above the criminal court case, there will be consequence management and internal disciplinary action,” said Matutle.

Matutle added that cable theft cripples the municipality’s infrastructure and negatively affects service delivery, urging that community members should continue reporting cable theft and tampering with municipal infrastructure.

ALSO READ: Matjhabeng facing electricity crisis

OFM News previously reported that The Matjhabeng municipality is facing an electricity crisis. This is according to ward councillor Igor Scheurkogel, and follows after Welkom residents took to the streets on Tuesday/Wednesday (1/2 June 2022) evening to show their frustration; burning tyres and obstructing traffic. Speaking to OFM News, Scheurkogel said that the electricity supply has been a problem since the beginning of the year, adding it becomes worse each time substations are vandalised or cables are stolen. Scheurkogel says the main reason for electricity outages is poor maintenance by the Matjhabeng Local Municipality.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi