The MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Cllr Mpho Moerane, has welcomed the eight-year prison sentence handed to a copper cable thief in Turffontein.  ​

The criminal was arrested in April 2020 by community members who found him with electrical copper cables, while trying to steal more. He was charged with tampering with the infrastructure and cable theft. 

Last week, he was handed eight years of direct imprisonment for the crime. MMC Moerane praised the community for protecting the infrastructure against vandals and assisting in the arrest of the thief. ​ “We welcome the stiff sentencing handed to this thief, which we believe fits the crime committed. The problem of vandalism and theft of copper cables is a serious one which disrupts normal life and economic activity in the City," said MMC Moerane.  ​

City Power loses at least R2 billion in non-technical loses, which includes cable theft. Towards the end of 2020, there was an increase in power outages, mostly caused by cable theft in the City. 

MMC Moerane urged the residents to take ownership of the infrastructure and report any vandalism and theft of copper cables to City Power security or the SAPS. 

“The residents of Turffontein took matters into their own hands and ensured this thief does not succeed in his evil ways. We commend them for protecting the infrastructure. We urge Joburg residents to report vandalism and theft of the infrastructure. More so because when this infrastructure is vandalised, the inconvenience is felt by the same community," added MMC Moerane. 

For more information, please contact:

Stan Itshegetseng

Deputy Director: Communications and Stakeholder Relations

Office of the MMC - EISD 083 702 4778