The Municipality of eThekwini has intensified its efforts to combat cable theft. The Durban Magistrate’s Court has successfully convicted perpetrators involved in these criminal activities. A 53-year-old male contractor was convicted at the Durban Magistrate’s Court for possession of suspected stolen property, including electricity cables and streetlights.
“The arrest occurred in 2023 during a co-ordinated operation that involved an inspection of a scrap dealer’s premises, where stolen municipal property was discovered. Further investigations prompted additional inspections. These inspections uncovered two rolls of eThekwini Municipality cables, additional street light components, and evidence of illegal cable processing at the suspect’s residence,” the City said in a statement. Director of the Energy Management Directorate, Philani Shange, expressed disappointment at the involvement of a contractor staff in such criminal activities.
“It is disheartening to witness individuals who are contracted to assist the Municipality in delivering essential services choosing to engage in theft instead. Their actions not only undermine the integrity of our workforce, but also hinder our efforts to improve service delivery to our communities,” said Shange.
The municipality and local police are now taking a sterner approach to crime. The recent convictions at the Durban Magistrate’s Court are a testament to the raid and arrests carried out three years ago. Had the raid by the city’s police not taken place, cable theft and damage would not only have continued but would likely have worsened. City Hall expressed shock and disappointment that a municipal contractor; someone hired to inspect the very cables purchased and owned on behalf of the eThekwini community; was involved.
The risk of homes and businesses being cut off from one another as a result of severed cables highlights the fear that corruption could flourish within the ranks. The fact that a local contractor masterminded the thefts demonstrates that crime can take root in any form. The municipality’s primary role is to prevent such thefts. Municipal property has been stolen and abused, and the contractor’s reputation has been irreparably damaged.
In a separate case, a 32-year-old man was convicted of tampering with essential infrastructure and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, with half of the sentence suspended for five years. The Energy Management Directorate vowed to ensure that perpetrators of infrastructure theft are brought to justice, reinforcing the message that such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.
The scandal of these thefts is now facing justice. The perpetrators are on probation due to their suspended sentences. They may be released early for good behaviour, though they will carry a criminal record for their crimes. This should serve as a warning to all who engage in such criminal activity: you risk placing the lives of citizens in danger, and there will be consequences. The municipality is now adopting a sterner stance against crime.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
