Copper wire thieves are at it again and, judging by the most recent theft over the weekend, it is clear that they are becoming bolder by the minute.

On Friday evening, copper thieves again targeted two municipal boreholes, trying to steal the copper cable without even switching of the electricity. The attempt left the police and electricians speechless, but fortunately the culprits fled without being able to actually steal the copper cable, thanks to a new security system installed at the boreholes by the municipality.

Mr Masindi Mapholi, the municipality’s Director of Technical Services, was at the scene and explained that the security system monitors the boreholes and whenever tampering is detected, a SMS message is sent out to the municipality and the contractor who installed the system. The system allows for a quick response, forcing criminals to flee empty-handed.

Mapholi said that although the system can’t prevent damage to infrastructure, it greatly reduces the damage. He said that, thanks to the quick response, a transformer was saved from serious damage. He proudly pointed at the electrical staff working on the damaged cables and said that, because there was no serious damage, the power supply could be restored within a few minutes. Police on the scene recovered gloves and a saw, used by the thieves to cut the cable.

Mapholi was disappointed that the culprits got away, but was satisfied that the security system would continue to make it more difficult for thieves to operate. He said that, through this new system, the municipality is sending a clear message that they won’t sit back and allow these culprits free reign. Mapholi thanked all, including the police and his own staff, who acted swiftly in preventing the theft. He also thanked Paul Otto, who had installed the system and added that this incident is proof that the system is working.