This came after fed up residents of Reiger Park complained about the never-ending series of power cable theft from the high-voltage substation, located in the bushes near St Anthony’s Road.
The angry residents told the Advertiser it has become the norm for cables to be stolen from the substation in question, despite the area being guarded by security officers and CCTV cameras.
The municipality, however, said it is aware of two recent thefts of cable at different places in Reiger Park, which followed a long period of no theft.
According to the metro spokesperson, Themba Gadebe, a private security company called 2RM was appointed through a tender process to safeguard the Boksburg, Germiston and Alberton areas.
“There are usually four guards on patrol duty, around the cables area,” said Gadebe.
He, however, acknowledged that some guards were recently assaulted and held at gunpoint while criminals stole the cables.
“The matter was reported to the police, and constant monitoring of the area is being done.
“The cables and joints that are used to repair the stolen cables are designed to last for over 20 years if installed correctly. Thus it does not affect all electrical networks.
“The thieves steal the cables from different places and it seems they know exactly where the cables are.
“We need to stop the market where stolen scrap copper is sold and exported.
“It is an SAPS and security matter and should be handled until the theft of copper, aluminium and scrap metal has been dealt with by the SAPS,” said Gadebe. -@FanieFLK
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