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Cape Town - The masterminds behind the theft of electricity cables that led to water outages in Gauteng have been arrested, City Power said on Friday.
Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni and the West Rand suffered widespread water outages two months ago after an electricity cable needed for the reservoirs to pump water was stolen.
The power utility said in a statement that during a bust it arrested four suspects who confessed to being involved in the crime following a tip off from a scrap dealer.
"The suspects were arrested by City Power Investigative Unit with 120 kilograms worth of copper valued at R8 435.
"They conceded that they are part of a syndicate that is actively involved in the theft of electricity cables and copper", said City Power.
"The suspects also ... identified and fingered City Power contactor employees who provide them with information on vulnerable areas and equipment they should target."
The employees identified by the suspects were also arrested.
All suspects, charged with theft and damage to property, will appear in court on Monday, City Power media relations consultant Hloni Motloung told Fin24.
City Power Managing Director Sicelo Xulu welcomed the arrest.
“The water cuts that affected communities in Pretoria and Johannesburg due to cable theft is a grim and chilling reminder of how the scourge of cable theft can impact negatively on communities and businesses if it remains unchecked.
"We appeal to our communities to work with us to rid ourselves of the menace of cable theft as it poses a national security threat and robs us of much-needed jobs,” he said.
Cable theft costs the economy over R5bn annually, according to City Power.
“This lost revenue is money that could be invested to grow the economy and generate employment opportunities," said Xulu.
He pointed out that small and medium sized businesses were the hardest hit by unplanned power outages.
"In many instances many of them have to shed jobs in order to survive the negative impact of lost revenue sustained during unplanned outages by criminally-induced actions,” he said.
Xulu added that the government is being lobbied by the Association of Electricity Municipalities of Southern Africa (AMEU) to have cable theft classified as economic sabotage.
