Pretoria – Police have recovered the body of a suspected cable thief who was fatally assaulted on Thursday allegedly by residents of Amandasig, in Pretoria North.
Another suspect managed to run away, witnesses said.
The pair were caught at daybreak digging a trench that exposed the cables connected to a nearby substation, which residents said had been previously vandalised.
After assaulting the one suspect, the enraged community members were overheard saying they were not handing the suspect to the police until he led them to his accomplice, who fled the scene.
By the time police arrived one of the suspects had succumbed to the beatings.
Commenting on the tragic death of the suspect, Gauteng Police Spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the police in Akasia responded to a complaint of tempering with Municipal Infrastructure at TP informal settlement around Amandasig area.
“Upon arrival, the police found two men allegedly assaulted by members of the community,” said Colonel Nevhuhulwi.
“It is reported that both men were digging the cable that runs from Magalies through Rosslyn.
“One of them was declared dead on the scene while the other one was arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure and was taken to hospital for medical assistance.
“A case of murder and attempted murder has also been opened for further investigations.”
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