By Everson Luhanga
Four men, including two City Power security officers and two contractors, have been arrested for stealing four drums of electric cable worth R350,000.
The men, aged between 30 and 40, were caught on 18 August after a tip-off led to the discovery of the stolen copper cables at City Power’s head office.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said there is a growing problem of employees and contractors involved in crime.
Earlier this month, five people, including three City Power employees, were arrested for cable theft.
In July, another employee was suspended for stealing copper cables worth about R2.1-million.
In June, five City Power electricians were arrested for extortion and corruption. In the same month, 15 others, including nine City Power security guards, were arrested for cable theft.
“These arrests show our commitment to stopping criminal activities within City Power,” said Mangena.
City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava hoped the arrests would send a clear message to anyone involved in criminal activities, especially those connected to City Power.
“We won’t hesitate to take action and make sure those responsible face the law,” he said.
Mashava said 19 people were convicted and sentenced to 163 years in prison last year.
Between March and July this year, 10 more people, including a minor, were convicted of cable theft and damaging electrical infrastructure.
In March, three men received suspended 15-year prison sentences for tampering with essential infrastructure.
In April, a 17-year-old was fined R40,000 or given a three-year suspended prison sentence for tampering with City Power infrastructure.
In May, Andile Ndlovu, a Zimbabwean national, was sentenced to eight years in prison for tampering with infrastructure in Sandringham.
Also in May, Tsietsi Masemene was sentenced to 15 years in prison for damaging City Power infrastructure in Rabie Ridge.
In July, four more people were convicted, including Luzipho Samkelo, who was sentenced to eight years in prison, and Tshuma Sibusiso, another Zimbabwean national, who received seven months for possessing stolen property.
Two others, Eugene Mkhize and Sandile Afrikander, were each sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Pictured above: City Power.
Source: City of Johannesburg
