PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Bitou Municipality's electrical department believes that a syndicate could be involved in the recent spate of copper cable theft incidents.
On Friday evening they noticed that pump station 19 in Piesang Valley, as well as the access gate, was badly vandalised and copper cables were missing. "The fact that the access gate was damaged, increases the risk for future incidents," the team said.
On Saturday it was discovered that the redundant transformer next to the Formosa Garden Village had also been burgled. "Thieves stole oil and left the tap open. This resulted in oil leaking out and running into the Formosa Garden Village driveway."
Last month, cables were stolen from the Kwanokuthula substation.
In July, local crime fighters made some headway in minimising copper theft in Bitou when they apprehended three suspects. This came after various lengths of cable were stolen along Airport Road and Harkerville.
"These acts are a risk to human life and the damage to infrastructure can be very severe. It can lead to unnecessary, unplanned and extensive power failures. It is very costly to replace electrical infrastructure and this kind of activity can have a huge impact on the budget," reads the statement.
Cable theft seems to be on the rise in Bitou.
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The team stressed that it is important that the community works with the municipality and law enforcement agencies to end cable theft.
They urged residents to report cable theft and any signs of electrical tampering on the Bitou Customer Care line 044 5013174/5, or e-mail customercare@plett.gov.za, or by contacting police on 10111.
Cable theft seems to be on the rise in Bitou.
Cable theft seems to be on the rise in Bitou. One incident resulted in oil running into the Formosa Garden Village driveway.
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