The utility said cooperation between communities, law enforcement, and its employees remains crucial in protecting electricity infrastructure and preventing costly damage. Investigations are continuing into several cases of alleged cable theft and infrastructure vandalism in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo.

Police are working to establish whether the suspects could be linked to other incidents. It is alleged that on Tuesday (6/10), police received a tip-off from a community member regarding a male suspect who was allegedly in possession of a plastic bag containing electrical cable. Following the information received, Navalsig police pursued a lead to WF Scrap Metals, situated in Noordhoek.

The suspect was positively identified through a copy of his driver’s licence, which he had provided to the cashier during the transaction, as well as CCTV footage captured on the premises. “The cable, estimated to be worth R16,500, was positively identified as Centlec property,” said Centlec spokesperson Tseliso Leba. “It was confiscated by the police and processed as an exhibit.

“The suspect remains in police custody and is facing charges relating to theft, vandalism and tampering with essential infrastructure. The suspect will appear in court soon and further investigations are underway to establish his connection to other incidents involving the theft of or tampering with essential infrastructure.”

In September, the Centlec control room received a report from the Botshabelo Neighbourhood Watch regarding two suspects who had allegedly been apprehended by community members while cutting and removing copper cable belonging to the street-lighting infrastructure along Hospital Road in Botshabelo. The neighbourhood watch members apprehended the suspects and immediately alerted the police and arrested both suspects at the scene.

During the investigation, the suspects allegedly indicated that they had been digging for the cable since the morning. They excavated a hole next to a streetlight pole and pulled the cable from the ground.

An inspection of the scene established that a 16 mm x four-core copper cable had been pulled from inside the streetlight pole, resulting in damage to and tampering with the street-lighting infrastructure.

“Centlec appreciates the efforts of the Mangaung community, the Botshabelo Neighbourhood Watch, the police and Centlec employees who continue to play an important role in combating the scourge of cable theft and infrastructure vandalism,” said Leba.

“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour involving electrical infrastructure to the nearest police station or Centlec Security.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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