The organised criminal network dealing in copper and electrical fittings continues wreaking havoc on the finances and infrastructure of Centlec, the Mangaung Metro Municipality’s power distributor. The power supplier has lamented the negative impact of the crime on its ability to render service, and financial losses worth millions.
The syndicate persists in capitalising on rolling blackouts due to prolonged load shedding, vandalising infrastructure with the sole purpose of harvesting copper cables to sell at various scrap dealers.
These acts of vandalism are rampant in Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, and Thaba Nchu. Evidence thereof are the several incidents of vandalism and stolen equipment the entity reported during June.
Centlec stated the recent spate of theft and vandalism during June amounted to R1,2 million, and about R1,87 million last year for the period of April 2019 to March 2022.
Lele Mamatu, the entity spokesperson, said the monies include the repair of damaged infrastructure and replacement of stolen copper cables. “These monies could have been spent to maintain and strengthen our network to ensure sustainable electricity supply to the community of Mangaung,” said Mamatu. He said the entity was further being crippled by illegal connections, adding that copper thieves impact negatively on the ability of hospitals to render essential services, thus endangering the lives of patients.
Reported incidents of vandalism and theft of copper cables add to cases reported for the period of 1 January 2021 to 30 July 2022.
Centlec reported a total of 88 incidents of theft and vandalism for the period of 1 January 2021 to 30 July 2022.
The entity also faces the challenge of bringing to book the culprits responsible for the ongoing spate of crime.
“For the period of 1 April to 30 June 2023, there were seven pending matters yet to be finalised,” said Mamatu.
Last year, the organisation reported that of the 210 cases brought before the court in Bloemfontein, only three culminated with convictions and the sentencing of the accused to 18 months’ imprisonment.
The syndicate persists in targeting essential infrastructure belonging to private-public entities that include Centlec, MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, Cell- C, Eskom, Transnet, and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).
