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Copperheads recover 53 kilometres of stolen cable

Metal theft interventions over the last six months show no sign of slowing down.Staff conducted 404 autonomous operations, 1 260 scrapyard inspections, 1 777 hotspot patrols, and responded to 277 complaints from the public. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/MTU%20officers%20inspect%20a%20bucket%20shop.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:800px;" /> </figure>Their efforts resulted in 83 arrests, a 34% increase compared to the same period the year before, and the recovery of 1 205,51 kilograms of metal, and 53 743,88 metres of stolen cable.<div> Staff also impounded eight vehicles, and issued 1 557 fines for various by-law transgressions.'The increase in arrests and confiscations show once more the extent of the challenges linked to cable and metal theft. The impact on services, the economy and the repairs and maintenance budgets of departments who bear the brunt of the scourge is well documented. And, the load on our metal theft unit, but enforcement services on the whole, is not getting any lighter. However, the unit continues to deliver good results in spite of the challenges, and their efforts have to be applauded.'The strategies of metal thieves are constantly changing, with new trends every few months, which require counter strategies and a unit that is nimble enough to change direction where needed. While it would be unwise to reveal the particulars of our playbook, we are already using existing tools like our integrated policing incident system to help map hotspots, for example, and we are always on the hunt for existing or new tech solutions that aid our enforcement efforts in this area,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/MTU1%20%281%29.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /></figure>Among the highlights of the metal theft unit between July and December 2023, were:<ul><li>The successful conviction and four-year sentence of a suspect under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act at Parow Regional Court in July </li><li>On 20 August, at approximately 05:00. two suspects were found in a trench along the M5 near the Kromboom Road turnoff – one was apprehended in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act for tampering, damaging or destroying any parts of essential infrastructure. </li><li>A few hours later, officers stopped a station wagon trying to enter a scrap metal dealership in Elsies River and discovered 38 rolls of copper cables weighing +/- 232kg, with a street value of R30 000. The suspect could not provide any reason for the possession of the property and was arrested in terms of the Second Hand Goods Act 6/2009, and for the possession of presumed stolen property. </li><li>On 9 September, MTU members joined forces with private security personnel at a building in Mitchells Plain to arrest six suspects found in possession of a large amount of metal and cable theft implements.</li><li>On 19 September, MTU members, LEAP officers and private security personnel arrested four suspects in Kraaifontein, found in possession of more than R120 000 in cash, and nearly 400 kilograms of burnt copper.</li></ul>Cable theft can be reported to the City's Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline. </div>

2024-01-27T22:00:00Z

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