Police will be focusing their resources on the north of Pretoria, which has recently been plagued by cable theft, among other alarming organised crime.
Law enforcement made a strong commitment to intensify their effort against cable theft and related infrastructure crimes in Region 1 after numerous individuals, allegedly involved in cable theft, firearm offences, and organised crime were arrested.
Cable theft has remained a persistent issue in the north, causing disruptions to essential services such as electricity, telecommunications, and water supply.
The illegal trade in stolen copper and other metals has not only created economic damage but has also posed a threat to public safety.
The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, praised the co-ordinated effort of law enforcement teams in tackling this issue head-on and promised further action to dismantle criminal networks that benefit from this.
A metal dealer in Klerksoord was arrested in possession of stolen copper cables, dangerous tools, and other illicit substances and linked to an extensive network of cable theft operations in the area.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said the arrest is part of an ongoing effort by law enforcement to disrupt the infrastructure that enables the illegal trade of stolen cables.
“We have an infrastructure task team, that works with the TMPD and all other role players to combat cable theft.
Suspects who are found with anything related to cable theft are brought before court,” said Van Dyk.
Tshwane District Crime Intelligence and Bojanala Crime Intelligence police units conducted targeted operations against cable theft syndicates using intelligence-gathering techniques and vigilant patrolling.
The team identified and apprehended key suspects involved in these illegal activities.
In another operation, six individuals involved in several violent crimes, including robbery and firearm offences were arrested in a sting operation.
During the operation, officers seized numerous firearms, ammunition, and stolen items, many of which were tied to ongoing investigations into armed robbery and kidnapping cases.
The seized firearms included a revolver that was connected to a July house robbery in Kameeldrift.
Recently, the residents of Klerksoord have raised concerns about deteriorating service delivery and rising crime in their community.
Their concerns are exacerbated by extended power outages, the most recent of which lasted days.
Residents together with law enforcement exposed a crime syndicate.
They entered the Winternest settlement, where they uncovered illegal connections and stripped cable belonging to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
This discovery made plain the scope of the problem they were facing.
Community leader Mickey van der Westhuizen was contacted by a resident about the alarming finding and rushed to the site to support the community.
The syndicate is believed to be deeply entrenched in cable theft, illegal liquor sales, and drug trafficking.
The rising cable theft cases and other criminal activities will require sustained efforts and a united front.
Meanwhile, Tshwane is seeking legal advice on bringing criminal charges against homeowners or tenants who steal electricity by tampering with the meter.
According to the metro, delinquent residents and criminals remove the fuse, swap transformers around or cut wires to the counter, which costs the city money for repairs.
Criminals and rogue residents are systematically dismantling the city’s essential infrastructure through acts of cable theft, illegal connections and vandalism that leave service delivery in tatters and cause damage in the millions.
The metro said the cost of energy loss in Tshwane is estimated at over R800-million a year.
The ongoing illegal electricity connections, cable theft, vandalism repairs and disruption to service delivery to ratepayers have cost the metro over a million in less than a year.
Losses have increased from the estimated R470-million in the 2022/2023 fiscal year to over R800-million in the 2023/2024 financial year.
Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the figures are estimates but are currently being audited by an independent body after which the exact figures will be provided.
Mashigo said the cable theft figures are being compiled from the regions however are estimated to have cost over R10-million, including vandalism to infrastructure across the city.
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