Statement by Yongama Zigebe, Councillor in the City of Johannesburg for the United Democratic Movement
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) welcomes the recent arrests of third-party security guards and City Power contractors in connection with cable theft. We commend the prompt actions of City Power’s Security Management team and the Essential Infrastructure Task Team of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in addressing this crime.
Cable theft continues to be a major issue that places immense strain on our already stretched city finances. Every incident of copper theft results in the city having to divert resources that could have been used for critical service delivery and infrastructure development. At a time when we are working tirelessly to eradicate load reduction and stabilise electricity supply, such acts of sabotage make it even harder to achieve these goals.
The UDM strongly urges members of the community to take a stand against these crimes by reporting any suspicious activities, especially those involving the illegal sale of copper cables to scrapyards. Scrap metal dealers who buy these stolen materials are complicit in undermining our city’s development and must be held accountable.
Furthermore, we call on the judiciary to ensure that justice is served swiftly and decisively. Harsh sentences for those found guilty of sabotaging essential infrastructure will send a strong message that such crimes will not be tolerated. The judiciary plays a critical role in deterring further incidents by ensuring that perpetrators face the full might of the law.
We call for increased vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement, City Power, the judiciary, and the public. This collective effort will help us protect essential infrastructure and ensure a safer and more reliable electricity supply for all.
