7 suspects arrested for cable theft

Masterminds, scrapyard syndicates next BCM —

Seven suspects were arrested over the weekend for their alleged involvement with a cable theft syndicate operating in BCM.

Police said they confiscated municipal copper cables, bolt cutters, grinders, hammers and a bakkie.

“We welcome the actions of the South African Police Services and Red Alert Private Security who acted swiftly when investigating a cable theft case in Cambridge on Saturday.

“They arrested three suspects and later uncovered a cable theft working station,” said BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya.

He said the municipality was optimistic that the arrests will serve as a much-needed breakthrough in the ongoing battle with cable thieves that continues to paralyse large sections of the metro and regularly plunges communities into darkness.

“We are also calling on the courts to weigh in by denying such repeat offenders bail and imposing strong convictions,” Ngwenya said.

“More importantly, we are hoping that these sorts of arrests will lead to the capturing of the masterminds and other scrapyard syndicates that are fueling these crimes against the people of Buffalo City.”

Ngwenya said the ongoing cable theft cost the municipality millions in materials, lost services and repair costs.

“This vandalism also damages infrastructure and impacts on water and sewage pump stations, effecting environmental damage and service to communities.

“This has severe implications on residents and businesses who are left counting costs of these unlawful acts,” he said.