Polokwane Municipality has been hit by a spate of cable theft incidents in the few weeks which have made it difficult to provide an effective electricity service. The latest incident took place in Aries Street at the Ster Park residential area where a 120 Meters electrical cable, estimated at over R 60-000, has been stolen. This brings to total the length of electrical cables stolen in the Municipality to more than 200 Meters which are valued between R 250-000 and R 400-000.

Technicians are currently working around the clock to replace the stolen cable, however, in Extension 44, just outside the City; it took nearly 2 days before the cable could be replaced. This has a negative effect on the service that the Municipality provides. The modus operandi used by cable thieves is to set fire on the live wires and cut it. This is very danger according to electrical experts as it can cause serious electrical shock to the person involved.

In a similar incident around October 2009, in the Seshego Industrial Zone a cable thief was electrocuted and died on the scene while trying to steal an electrical. He was found burnt beyond recognition with third degree burns.

The Municipality is appealing to the members of the community to report such incidents to the police as this often affects the provision of effective services. 

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Issued by Comms and PPU
Phuti Lekganyane
Cell: 076 581 4616