JOHANNESBURG - City Power has expressed outrage after a man who was caught last year for damaging power infrastructure was arrested at the same place for the same crime.
The 55-year-old man from Booysens Squatter Camp was found inside the Fordsburg Substation tunnel on Saturday, 29 March, with tools and stolen copper cables.
The suspect was arrested in the same place in October last year with three others, who evaded arrest. Seven months later, he was found with hacksaws, blades, and freshly cut copper cables again.
City Power says this case proves how serious and persistent the problem of cable theft is.
The fact that the man was released after the first arrest under suspicious circumstances and allegedly returned to commit the same crime shows a serious failure in the justice system.
The power supplier wants a full investigation into the incident, including whether the suspect was assisted by law enforcement.
Ms Tshifularo Mashava, CEO of City Power, said, “While we are appreciative of the work done by SAPS and the NPA, we are concerned about repeat offenders being released without any proper explanation and returning to commit the same crime.
There needs to be an urgent and more aggressive approach in the fight against infrastructure crimes.”
City Power said its organisation has implemented several steps to assist law enforcement, including increasing patrols, monitoring and supporting investigations and prosecutions handled by the SAPS and NPA.
Although, there has been limited success in prosecuting cases. Since the start of the financial year, 306 suspects have been arrested for cable theft and vandalism, but only 21 have been successfully prosecuted.
City Power has called on law enforcement and the NPA to review all suspicious cases where suspects were released and ensure repeat offenders face serious consequences.
“We urge law enforcement agencies and the NPA to do more in terms of the fight against infrastructure crimes, and to continue to work with us,” said Mashava.
The public is urged to report suspicious activity near power infrastructure to City Power's Risk Control department by calling 011 490 7911/7900 or sending a WhatsApp message to 083 597 4497.