Copper thieves ambush

KNYSNA NEWS - The community should take a stand against copper cable theft in their midst.

This is the call from Knysna United chair Ralph Stander, who approached KPH after noticing instances of cable theft in Hornlee and Fraaisig at the weekend.

Stander said while working in Fraaisig, he noticed that copper wires have been cut off between some street lamp poles. Going around Hornlee he noticed more streetlights have been vandalised and copper cables stolen.

It appears that thieves are targeting streetlights in Hornlee, stripping copper wires from the lamp poles and digging trenches to remove underground copper cables in the area.

"This is not only in my area but in other areas as well; the copper wires have been cut off and removed. This is not for an apple and onion sale," he said.

Stander questioned how the community can allow community facilities to be broken down and stolen.

"This must stop," he said. He mentioned that not too long ago, sidewalks and the entire toilet facilities were stolen at the taxi rank.

"This comes down to terrorism against the community. Who buys the stolen goods? Those who buy the stolen property are just as guilty. The most wonderful thing is that the community know who the culprits are," he said.

"Let's stop the crooks and stop the drug lords destroying our community."

Trenches dug to remove copper cables.

Municipal spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt said the municipality is currently investigating the impact of cable theft on their infrastructure and the provision of services to the greater Knysna.

"This is not an isolated incident, we are experiencing this problem in other areas as well. We have resorted to reporting the matter to the police. The perpetrators will be brought to book. In the meantime, we appeal to the greater Knysna community to help us keep the lights on. Keep them and our infrastructure safe by reporting cable theft to 044 302 6397," he said.

Keep them and our infrastructure safe by reporting cable theft to 044 302 6397.