Johannesburg – Nine security officers contracted by City Power have been arrested for cable theft and vandalism.
Commenting on the matter on Saturday, City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava said: “Out of the 15 suspected cable thieves, nine are security officers contracted by City Power, something we find deeply concerning”.
She added: “These security officers are among some of the internal collaborators that we have been tracking and vowed to bring down in the process of fighting back against the destructive acts of tampering with essential infrastructure”.
City Power said this group of suspects was nabbed between Friday and Saturday morning during a multipronged joint operation between the entity’s Security Risk Management and law enforcement agencies led by the SA Police Service (SAPS) Essential Infrastructure Task Team.
Three suspects were caught at a scrap metal dealership in the Joburg CBD.
Leads were followed on more and later in the evening, three more men were arrested in the Inner-city along the underground tunnels.
This was particularly worrying given the catastrophic destruction that occurred several weeks ago in Braamfontein as a result of theft and vandalism in these tunnels.
In Reuven at City Power Head Offices, two security guards were arrested after the stolen cable was found in their car at a scrap metal dealer in the Inner City.
Seven other guards were also arrested during the intelligence-driven operation.
“City Power finds the involvement of contracted security officers particularly worrying because these are the people that have been entrusted with the duty of safeguarding our infrastructure,” said Mashava.
“However, these arrests are a testament to our unwavering resolve as the municipal utility, in dealing with the problem of theft and vandalism, whether perpetrated by outsiders or those from within.
“Early this financial year we reinforced our security operations with extra intelligence and technology muscle to unmask some of these internal collaborators.”
Mashava added: “We strongly condemn this conduct and assure the public that even those among us implicated will not be spared.
“We have never ruled out the involvement of our contractors and staff in the theft and vandalism problem.
“This involvement of internal staff undermines efforts of combating the scourge and that’s why City Power has tightened its internal controls and involved law enforcement agencies to help in rooting out these destructive elements.”
City Power warned staff members that the net was closing in on all those involved in the “destructive business” of cable theft and vandalism.
“This warning goes to City Power employees and those contracted to do work on behalf of the entity,” said Mashava.
“The entity will spare no attempt in making sure that everyone arrested, faces the full might of the law.
“We commend the collaborative work with the SAPS, JMPD [Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department], community policing forums, and private security in different parts of Johannesburg in dealing with cable theft and vandalism.”
