A Johannesburg Water official and a scrapyard owner were yesterday, 03 July 2019, arrested in Erasmia, west of Tshwane for cable theft valued at R10, 000.
This follows a sting operation set up and led by the Hawks in collaboration with the City of Joburg’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) Infrastructure Protection Unit.
A tipoff was received about cables that were stolen at the Johannesburg Water northern works depot in Diepsloot. Information was also received about a particular scrapyard in the west of Pretoria that is frequented by council marked vehicles. It is alleged that the scrapyard owner accepts stolen good from City officials.
The suspects are expected to appear in court today where they will be charged for theft.
In order to combat the criminal syndicates responsible for cable theft, the City introduced a specialised JMPD unit whose exclusive focus will be to target these copper cable syndicates. The work of combatting these syndicates requires a professionalised approach of a dedicated unit with the knowledge, skills and networks to be effective.
For us to win the war against cable theft, a collaborative effort is required from all the role players involved.
National and Provincial Government must step in and ensure that the South African Police Service (SAPS) works with our specialised JMPD unit so as to ensure that we crack down on these syndicates, and that suspects who are found to be guilty are not only arrested, but also successfully prosecuted.
I would also like to encourage people to report any fraud and corruption activities through our 24hour tipoff hotline 0800 002 587 or visit the GFIS offices situated at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
For media queries, please contact:
Lucky Sindane
Director: Strategic Stakeholder Management
Group Forensic and Investigation Services
Cell: 065 865 0696
Email: LuckySi@joburg.org.za
OR
Luyanda Mfeka
Director: Mayoral Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg
Tel: 011 407 6727
Cellular: 076 171 5978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za
