Johannesburg – An alleged cable thief was nearly electrocuted in Ekurhuleni on Monday morning.
The suspect was found after City officials responded to a crime scene where a perpetrator was trying to cut a live 11kV cable in the Comet area, near Boksburg.
The perpetrator is currently in hospital under police supervision, and a case of theft and damage to essential infrastructure has been opened with the SAPS.
“Residents are urged to treat all electrical networks as live at all times. Perpetrators who damage the city’s electrical infrastructure must know that they are committing a serious crime and also run the risk of being electrocuted, which could lead to death,” said a City of Ekurhuleni statement.
“It is unfortunate that while the country is dealing with rolling blackouts, there are thugs out there making the situation even worse,” said Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
The municipality encourages members of the public who have information about the perpetrators of these acts of theft and vandalism to contact the City’s call centre on 0860 54 3000.
