A Manenberg man is behind bars after being caught red-handed stripping copper cables worth R200 000.
On Monday Manenberg police and a team of officials from Prasa descended on the man’s home in Jade Crescent shortly after 8am.
Manenberg police’s Brigadier Enolium Joseph says the operation is part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on the damage to rail transport infrastructure in the precinct.
“The private security company designated to investigate and combat this copper theft with SAPS and other Law Enforcement agencies received information regarding an address in Jade Crescent, Manenberg, from where copper cables are being disposed,” Joseph said.
“Law Enforcement officers went to the address and found a 36-year-old male busy stripping and disposing of copper cables.”
He says several stripped copper wires were removed from the insulation casing, but was identified as belonging to Prasa.
“The damage to the infrastructure where these cables were stripped from is valued at R200 000. The copper stripped from the infrastructure is sold for nothing to legal and illegal scrap yards.
“The scrap dealers are making themselves criminals when they continue to buy copper without verifying the source of where the cables are obtained.”
The man was arrested and is expected to appear in Athlone Magistrate's Court for the illegal possession of copper cables and the damage and theft of Prasa infrastructure.
Joseph has urged residents to come forward with information regarding copper cables and the damage or theft of Prasa infrastructure by calling the police station on 021 699 9400.